Biopsy, Skin 

A skin biopsy is often necessary when a skin condition cannot be diagnosed by the patient's history and what the physician finds on examination alone. Confirming a clinical diagnosis may also be necessary prior to starting therapy.

Skin biopsy types are as follows:

• Shave biopsies
• Punch biopsies
• Excisional biopsies

Skin biopsies can also be submitted for tissue culture if the diagnosis of a bacterial or fungal infection is in question.

Any skin lesion can be biopsied. It is important for patients to realize, however, that in some cases, microscopic examination of tissue may be very nonspecific and not necessarily helpful in rendering a specific diagnosis.