Increase in percutaneous muscle biopsy yield with a suction-enhancement technique

Abstract

The percutaneous muscle biopsy technique is used in clinical practice and biomedical research. We developed a new enhanced-suction technique [suction-enhancing nipples (SEN)] and compared it with techniques currently in practice by assessing biopsy yields on anesthetized pigs. We applied the enhanced-suction technique to human subjects participating in a clinical trial. In the pig, there was a mean 91% (1.9-fold) increase in the size of the samples obtained with the 4-mm needle when SEN was used and a mean 507% (fivefold) increase in sample size when the SEN was applied to the 6-mm needles. Nine passes of the 6-mm needle with SEN obtained from five consecutive human subjects yielded a mean individual sample size of 109.4 mg or 219.4 mg per needle pass when using the double-sample technique. Adequate tissue samples for histomorphometric and other analyses were obtained in all samples obtained. The percutaneous muscle biopsy performed with enhanced suction using inexpensive, readily available nipples enhances tissue yield two- to fivefold.

Skeletal muscle microbiopsy: a validation study of a minimally invasive technique

“…Another difference between the two methods is the need to create suction for the Bergströ m biopsy in order to capture and cut the muscle sample [4]. This is generally the most painful part of the Bergströ m technique.…”

“…The needle biopsy technique described by BERGSTRÖ M [3] is the most commonly used to assess the vastus lateralis at the cellular level, and, in fact, it has become an essential tool in biomedical research. This technique, also referred to as a semi-open biopsy, is useful for biochemical, histochemical and histomorphometric muscle analyses, with results similar to open muscle biopsy [4]. The percutaneous conchotome biopsy, also a semi-open muscle biopsy technique using an ''alligator forceps'', is an alternative to the Bergströ m technique used to biopsy muscle, such as the anterior tibialis [5].…”

Human Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Procedures Using the Modified Bergström Technique

“…Twenty years later, Evans et al 5 modified the technique by applying suction through the cutting trocar of the Bergström needle. This modification can enhance the yield of tissue 3-to 5-fold 6,7 and is employed in clinical and biomedical research settings. This technique has and will continue to foster the diagnosis of myopathies and our understanding of the structure and function of skeletal muscle.…”

Metabolic Exploration of Muscle Biopsy

“…A suction system through the cutting trocard was introduced in 1982 in order to augment the size of the muscle tissue withdrawn at each insertion of the needle. These techniques do all need skin, subcutaneous and deep fascia anesthesia as well as a 5-10mm incision to access the muscle tissue with a 4 to 6 mm diameter Bergstrom needle (Hennessey et al, 1997). With these techniques, muscle samples of 77-170 mg can be obtained for each sample and doubling the sampling by rotating the needle 90° clockwise increased the size of the muscle sample to 172-271 mg in one pass (Hennessey et al, 1997).…”

“…These techniques do all need skin, subcutaneous and deep fascia anesthesia as well as a 5-10mm incision to access the muscle tissue with a 4 to 6 mm diameter Bergstrom needle (Hennessey et al, 1997). With these techniques, muscle samples of 77-170 mg can be obtained for each sample and doubling the sampling by rotating the needle 90° clockwise increased the size of the muscle sample to 172-271 mg in one pass (Hennessey et al, 1997). However, limitations exist for these procedures as their invasive character makes difficult the realization of serial sampling for studies examining the time course of intracellular physiological events (Hayot et al, 2005).…”