The use of percutaneous needle muscle biopsy in the diagnosis of myopathy.

Less invasive, inexpensive, and minimally time-consuming muscle biopsy techniques are desirable if their diagnostic yield is similar to that of open muscle biopsy. This article reviews the technique of semi-automated percutaneous needle muscle biopsy and its utility in diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases. Although direct comparisons with open biopsy are not available, the data indicate that percutaneous needle biopsy is quite useful for diagnosis of inflammatory as well as other forms of myopathy. The specimens can also be utilized for molecular diagnostic studies and cell culture.