Poster Presentation ASPCR-ASDR Conference 2013

Skin microbiopsy effects on histopathological diagnosis of pigmented lesions (#90)

Parastoo Banan 1 , Lynlee L Lin , Duncan Lambie , Tarl Prow , H. Peter Soyer
  1. School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia

Over the years diagnostic dermatology has relied on a precise history and an accurate clinical examination. However, in many cases skin biopsies, skin scrapings, blood tests or genetic tests are necessary to reach a final diagnosis. Punch biopsy is one of the primary procedures clinicians use frequently to obtain full-thickness skin samples to aid with histopathological diagnosis but due to the invasive nature of this procedure it is not embraced by patients. We have developed a minimally invasive skin biopsy device for small tissue collection and molecular diagnosis which can help early detection of melanomas and non-melanoma skin cancers as well as a refined diagnosis of inflammatory skin disease. It does not need any local anaesthetic or sutures and does not leave any visible scar behind. This miniature skin biopsy device causes minimal damage to the epidermis and superficial papillary dermis and therefore is not believed to interfere with the histopathologic diagnosis of the lesion. To confirm this we demonstrate the effects of microbiopsies on the histopathological diagnosis of five melanocytic lesions based on the evaluation of an experienced dermatopathologist.

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