Muscle biopsy using the muscle punch--removal technique, transport and evaluation ability

Histopathological striated muscle examination is one of the most important and sensitive tests in diagnosis of muscle and/or nerve diseases. Although muscle biopsy is a relatively easy procedure, it is not frequently performed in small animal practice conditions. Different biopsy techniques have been described in veterinary literature. Punch biopsy of striated muscle appears to be a less invasive and quicker method in comparison with traditional surgical excision technique. Additionally, punch biopsy provide good quality and adequate amount of muscle tissue for diagnostic histopathological evaluation. The aim of this study is to describe striated muscle punch biopsy technique and to encourage use of it under the conditions of small animal practice. The described biopsy method can be specially advantageous in screening of inherited muscle diseases in affected litters or even wider animal population.