Needle muscle biopsy in the investigation of neuromuscular disorders

We have evaluated needle muscle biopsies in 220 patients with various neuromuscular disorders, using a method developed previously at Tuft's University. The method uses a 14-gauge needle propelled by an automatic device. An average of 3.5 samplings were taken per patient. Muscle samples were used for histological and molecular genetic analysis, and for the isolation of muscle satellite cells for in vitro cultures. The biopsy is well tolerated by the patients who never declined multiple samplings. Complications were few and minor, with no sequelae. In most cases the small size of the muscle specimen (ca. 15 mg per sampling) was sufficient to perform the various procedures and to yield a diagnosis. Specimens were considered insufficient for histological results in 9 patients (4%), due to technical artifacts or insufficient material. We now routinely use this method, which has several advantages over the surgical technique for most muscle biopsies.