title: The vanishing biopsy: the trend toward smaller specimens.
abstract: Dermatopathologists have noted an increased number of smaller biopsy specimens. Our objective was to determine whether dermatologists are changing their choice of biopsy technique and the size of biopsy specimens. We conducted a retrospective study of 500 biopsies performed by dermatologists for the purpose of diagnosis in 1988, 1993, 1998, and 2003. Our study results indicate that dermatologists are performing fewer punch biopsies and more shave biopsies. What's more, there has been a decrease in the size of shave biopsy specimens. We believe that the decreased number of punch biopsies being performed combined with the decreased size of shave biopsy specimens may affect patient care.
authors.affiliation: Pennsylvania State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey 17033, USA.
authors.forename: Emmy M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Helm
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ioffreda
authors.forename: Klaus F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Helm
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D003880:Dermatology / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis