The utility and tolerability of ultrasound guided muscle biopsy in the investigation of myopathy: a follow-up study

Abstract

Introduction

Open surgical muscle biopsy has traditionally been required for the histological diagnosis of myopathy but requires neurosurgical expertise with a variable diagnostic yield. Ultrasound guided percutaneous approaches are less resource intensive and invasive. This follow-up study aims to assess the diagnostic yield and tolerability of this approach to assess its utility as an adjunct to the traditional open surgical technique.

Methodology

Between March of 2020 and June of 2021, 24 patients underwent a muscle biopsy following discussion at our regional neuromuscular multi-disciplinary team meeting. A consultant musculoskeletal radiologist used a modified Bergstrom needle to obtain a minimum of 2 samples under 500 mmHg of suction and ultrasound guidance. These were followed up to assess the diagnostic yield. A survey was also sent to the patients to assess the tolerability of the procedure.

Results

21 out of the 24 biopsies performed provided diagnostic information. Of these 3 non diagnostic samples were obtained, two were insufficient in size and one consisted of fatty tissue. Of the 21 patients who responded to the survey, 18 rated the procedure as good or excellent with 3 patients rated it as average or poor citing administrative or communication issues rather than procedural. All 5 patients who had previously undergone surgical biopsy expressed a preference for the ultrasound guided percutaneous approach. No patients experienced any complications.

Conclusion

This follow-up study reinforces the conclusion of its predecessor by highlighting that ultrasound guided percutaneous muscle biopsy is a useful and tolerable adjunct to the traditional surgical technique in investigating muscle disorders.