title: Wall suction applied to needle muscle biopsy - a novel technique for increasing sample size.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The needle biopsy technique described by Bergström is the most commonly used technique to obtain samples to assess muscle metabolism. Sampling of muscle, particularly the vastus lateralis, has become an essential tool in biomedical and clinical research. Optimal sample size is critical for availability of tissue for processing. To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel technique to obtain adequate sample size using wall suction applied to needle muscle biopsy, we collected samples from subjects in on-going clinical studies for gene expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Muscle biopsy samples of the vastus lateralis using 6 mm Bergström needles under local anesthesia were obtained from 55 subjects who had volunteered to participate in this research project. The vastus lateralis was biopsied according to the methods described by Bergström with a 6 mm biopsy needle. Wall suction was applied to the inner bore of the biopsy needle after the needle was inserted into the muscle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean sample of biopsy taken using the 6 mm was 233 mg (n = 55). The wall suction (200 mm Hg) applied to the needle pulled the surrounding tissue into the central bore of the needle. The quality of the samples was adequate for all biochemical assays. The biopsy technique did not result in any complications due to infection or bleeding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using a novel technique of connecting a 6 mm Bergström biopsy needle to wall suction, we have obtained 200 to 300 mg muscle biopsy specimens uniformly, with ease, and minimal discomfort. An increase in sample size allows for a wider variety of biochemical and histopathological analysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Stony Brook University Medical Center, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, New York 11794-8191, USA. mark.melendez@sunysb.edu
authors.forename: Mark M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Melendez
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vosswinkel
authors.forename: Marc J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Marie C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Gelato
authors.forename: Dennis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mynarcik
authors.forename: Shai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gavi
authors.forename: Xiaoti
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McNurlan
mesh_terms: D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009339:Needles; D013396:Suction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*