Information leaflet for patients and families. Skin Biopsy

Transcription

1 Information leaflet for patients and families Skin Biopsy

2 What is a punch skin biopsy? This is a short procedure to remove a small piece of skin. The skin may be examined under a microscope. Often we grow the cells from the skin biopsy to do further tests on. Why do I /does my child need this procedure? Benefits and alternatives A punch biopsy is usually carried out to determine or confirm a diagnosis. There are certain disorders that can only be diagnosed by a skin biopsy because abnormalities may not be detectable with certainty by blood or urine tests. An alternative test may not be available and the doctor will discuss this with you. What happens before the biopsy? We will need your permission before we take the skin biopsy. Prior to the procedure we will ask for your consent and answer any questions which you may have. However, please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any other questions associated to the procedure.

3 Where will the biopsy be done? How long will it take? The skin biopsy will normally take about 30 minutes. Sometimes the skin biopsy may be done at the same time as another procedure, such as an operation. The site of the biopsy may depend on the reason it is being done. We will discuss this with you. Young children may need sedation. If so this may need to be done on an empty stomach. Please check this before your appointment. What does the procedure involve? A small circle of skin (3x3mm) is removed, usually from the forearm. Sometimes it is necessary to take more than one biopsy or to take it from a specific region of the body and we will discuss this with you. A local anaesthetic injection will be used to numb the biopsy site (a cream may be applied to the skin to numb it first). The area will be prepared and cleaned by the doctor/nurse. A special punch needle is used to take the biopsy. A small needle is gently inserted into the skin; it is then rotated to allow us to remove a small circle of skin. The biopsy site will usually bleed slightly after the procedure but this stops when pressure is applied to the site. The area will be closed either with steri-strips (a type of plaster), or with a stitch and then covered with a dressing.

4 What happens after the biopsy? After the biopsy you will be able to go home unless any further treatment was planned. The biopsy site may feel uncomfortable for a day or two afterwards and paracetamol, administered as prescribed on the bottle, will relieve discomfort. The special plasters need to be kept on for at least 5 days before removing. If they come off accidentally, cover with a normal plaster. Try not to get the area wet during this time to help the area heal. Having a skin punch biopsy should not interfere with any normal activities such as going to school or work. Are there any risks involved? Usually the site will heal without any complications. Occasionally a small scar may form. Very rarely the site may become infected. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain and a raised temperature. If you are concerned please seek advice from your GP. What happens to these cells and are they sent to other hospitals? The skin cells may be examined directly and/or grown for further tests. Depending on the disorder they may be grown in our laboratory or in a laboratory elsewhere.

5 How long will it take to get the results? If the biopsy is being taken for a specific test we will inform you of how long the results may take and discuss how we will give them to you (for example a letter or an appointment). Sometimes results may take longer than expected. This may be because the cells are growing slowly (but this does not mean there is an abnormality). Very occasionally the test fails and we may need to repeat the biopsy. Answering your questions If you have any questions please speak to the doctor, nurse or genetic counsellor who is looking after you.

6 If you need more advice about any aspect of Skin biopsy please contact: Clinical Genetics Unit Birmingham Women s and Children s NHS Foundation Trust Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TG Telephone: genetics.info@nhs.net Birmingham Women s and Children s NHS Foundation Trust Mindelsohn Way Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TG Author: Clinical genetics Unit Reviewed date: June 2017 Next review: June 2020 Ref No: GG14