| bone marrow biopsy | <procedure> A test involving the insertion of a thin needle into the breastbone or more commonly, the hip, in order to aspirate a sample of the marrow. A small piece of cortical bone may also be obtained for biopsy. Anaemia of unknown cause is often investigated using this test. (27 Sep 1997) |
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| bone marrow biopsy and aspiration | <procedure> A procedure in which a needle is inserted into the centre of a bone, usually the hip, to remove a small amount of bone marrow for microscopic examination. (09 Oct 1997) |
| brush biopsy | Biopsy obtained by passing a bristled catheter into the ureter or pyelocalyceal system to remove cells from suspected areas of disease by entrapping them in the bristles. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chorionic villus biopsy | Transcervical or transabdominal sampling of the chorionic villi for genetic analysis. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cold cone biopsy | <gynaecology, procedure> A procedure which excises a cone of tissue (mucous membrane) off the cervix for purpose of diagnostics and therapeutics (removes precancerous cells). See: cervical dysplasia. (27 Sep 1997) |
| wedge biopsy | Excision of a cuneiform specimen. (05 Mar 2000) |
| cone biopsy | <gynaecology, procedure> A procedure which excises a cone of tissue (mucous membrane) off the cervix for purpose of diagnostics and therapeutics (removes precancerous cells). See: cervical dysplasia. (05 Jan 1998) |
| pleural needle biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A pleural needle biopsy involves the use of a needle (inserted from the skin) to obtain a small sample of pleural tissue for microscopic analysis. The biopsy is done using a local anaesthetic. Abnormal results may reveal cancer (metastatic or primary), tuberculosis, a fungal disease, viral disease, a parasitic disease or collagen vascular disease. Risks include pneumothorax and internal bleeding. (21 Mar 1998) |
| muscle biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of muscle tissue for microscopic analysis. A muscle biopsy is used to distinguish between neurological and myopathic (muscle disease) disorders, identify muscular dystrophy, diagnose muscle infections and identify connective tissue disorders (necrotising vasculitis). (21 Mar 1998) |
| core biopsy | Removal (with a large needle) of a piece of a lump. The piece is sent to the lab to see if the lump is benign or malignant. (09 Oct 1997) |
| cup biopsy forceps | A slender flexible forceps with movable cup-shaped jaws, used to obtain biopsy specimens by introduction through a specially designed endoscope. (05 Mar 2000) |
| heart biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of cardiac muscle tissue for microscopic analysis. This is generally performed at the same time as a cardiac catheterisation or as a very similar, yet separate, procedure. A small piece of heart tissue is taken via a small forceps inserted into the cardiac catheter site (usually threaded through a vein in the neck). This test may reveal the cause of a cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, amyloidosis or a heart transplant rejection. (21 Mar 1998) |
| salivary gland biopsy | <investigation, procedure, surgery> A procedure which involves the removal of a small specimen of salivary gland tissue for microscopic analysis. Used in the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. Risks include localised bleeding, infection and injury to the facial nerve. (21 Mar 1998) |
| punch biopsy | A punch is an instrument for cutting and removing a disk of tissue. A punch biopsy of the skin may for example be done to make the diagnosis of a malignancy. (12 Dec 1998) |
| shave biopsy | A biopsy technique performed with a surgical blade or a razor blade; used for lesions that are elevated above the skin level or confined to the epidermis and upper dermis, or to protrusions of lesions from internal sites. (05 Mar 2000) |