title: Processing dermatological biopsies.
abstract: Dermatological biopsies can be obtained from many anatomic areas and fulfill a variety of diagnostic roles. Due to this variety, the handling and processing of dermatological specimens pose unique challenges. The small size, disparate shapes, and anatomic variation seen on skin biopsies require specialized techniques to enable sufficient sampling, proper orientation, and accurate diagnoses. This chapter addresses issues related specifically to the processing of small specimens, evaluation for biopsies for alopecia, nail specimens, frozen sections, and specimens requiring direct immunofluorescence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, USC Keck School of Medicine, 1500 San Pablo St, NIT Rm 214, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA, gene.kim@med.usc.edu.
authors.forename: Gene
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Brittney
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: DeClerck
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sorenson
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000473:pathology; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D005629:Frozen Sections; D006801:Humans; D009262:Nails / Q000473:pathology; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology*