Human Vastus Lateralis Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Using the Weil-Blakesley Conchotome

Alicja M. Baczynska; Sarah Shaw; Helen C. Roberts; Cyrus Cooper; Avan Aihie Sayer; Harnish P. Patel

doi:10.3791/53075

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Method Article

Human Vastus Lateralis Skeletal Muscle Biopsy Using the Weil-Blakesley Conchotome

17.1K views

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DOI:

10.3791/53075

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March 4th, 2016

Alicja M. Baczynska¹^,² , Sarah Shaw³ , Helen C. Roberts¹^,²^,³^,⁵ , Cyrus Cooper²^,³^,⁴ , Avan Aihie Sayer¹^,²^,³^,⁵^,⁶ , Harnish P. Patel¹^,²^,³

¹Academic Geriatric Medicine, University of Southampton, University Hospital Southampton, ²National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Center, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, ³MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, ⁴National Institute for Health Research Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, University of Oxford, ⁵National Institute for Health Research Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care, ⁶Newcastle University Institute of Ageing and Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University

Summary

This video demonstrates the technique of percutaneous muscle biopsy of the human vastus lateralis using the Weil-Blakesley conchotome.

Abstract

Percutaneous muscle biopsy using the Weil-Blakesley conchotome is well established in both clinical and research practice. It is a safe, effective and well tolerated technique. The Weil-Blakesley conchotome has a sharp biting tip with a 4 - 6 mm wide hollow. It is inserted through a 5 - 10 mm skin incision and can be maneuvered for controlled tissue penetration. The tip is opened and closed within the tissue and then rotated through 90 -180° to cut the muscle. The amount of muscle obtained following repeated sampling can vary from 20 mg to 290 mg which can be processed for both histology and molecular studies. The wound needs to be kept dry and vigorous physical activity kept to a minimum for approximately 72 hr although normal levels of activity can restart immediately following the procedure. This procedure is safe and effective when close attention is paid to the selection of subjects, full asepsis and post procedure care. Both right and left vastus lateralis are suitable for biopsy dependent on participant preference.

Introduction

Obtaining skeletal muscle for the diagnosis of a myopathy and other neuromuscular degenerative diseases relies on safe and efficient methods which are acceptable and not incapacitating to patients ¹. Historically, methods of obtaining muscle tissue for analysis included open biopsies performed under general anesthesia or from post mortem. These techniques allowed direct visualization of the muscle and permitted a larger piece of muscle to be biopsied. Given the potential disadvantages these techniques have to the patient in terms of hospital stay and recovery, percutaneous 'semi-open' muscle biopsy methods were introduced as alternatives. This techn....