Open muscle biopsy in suspected myopathy: diagnostic yield and clinical utility.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the study was to investigate the diagnostic yield and clinical utility of open muscle biopsy and to identify pre-biopsy factors that might predict useful clinical results for suspected myopathy.


METHODS
Two-hundred fifty-eight muscle biopsies, performed for investigation of suspected myopathy, were evaluated.


RESULTS
A specific clinical diagnosis following muscle biopsy was made in 43% of cases. As a result of the biopsy, clinical diagnosis was changed in 47% and treatment was changed in 33% of cases. Results either led to a specific clinical diagnosis or changed the diagnosis/treatment in 74% of patients. Positive family history of myopathy and findings of myopathic irritability on electromyography had a negative predictive value for diagnosis change.


CONCLUSIONS
Open muscle biopsy is useful in myopathy evaluation in the modern genetic era.
Lai
C-H
CH
Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan.
Melli
G
G
Chang
Y-J
YJ
Skolasky
R L
RL
Corse
A M
AM
Wagner
K R
KR
Cornblath
D R
DR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult
D003402:Creatine Kinase