title: The utility of muscle biopsy.
abstract: Despite major advances in molecular genetics, histopathologic evaluation of muscle biopsy specimens continues to provide important diagnostic information in patients with suspected muscle diseases and in patients with vasculitic neuropathies. Muscle biopsy specimens are used in diagnosing many inherited as well as inflammatory and toxic myopathies. Furthermore, the study of muscle histopathology can also enhance our understanding of disease pathogenesis.
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, UPMC Presbyterian, 200 Lothrop Street, F878, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. lacomis@np.awing.upmc.edu
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lacomis
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000639:trends; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000639:trends; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests
chemical_list: D009124:Muscle Proteins