Biopsy and soft tissue lesions

Question 1

What are types of tissue sampling techniques?

Answer 1

Aspiration - blood sample, pus abscess, fine needle aspiration (can be from solid lesions)
Surgical - excisional, incisional (punch is a type of incisional)

Question 2

How do you select an area to biopsy?

Answer 2

Must be large enough
Must be representative
Include peri-lesional tissue sometimes

Question 3

What is a biopsy?

Answer 3

Procedure where small piece of tissue is removed from an area to analyse in the lab with histopathology

Question 4

Post-op instructions for someone who has had a biopsy?

Answer 4

Not likely to be swollen or super painful - take OTC analgesia if required
Dissolvable stitches within 2 weeks
Do not disturb area/ poke - may cause bleeding
If bleeding - apply pressure to are with damp gauze for 15 mins. Contact dentist or out of hours if doesn’t stop within that time
Will be numb - be careful with hot foods/ biting tongue
No alcohol/ smoking 24 hours
Use warm salty mouth-rinse 3-4x/ day 24 hours post-op

Question 5

What type of biopsy would be done for a cyst?

Answer 5

Fine needle aspiration for fluid
Incisional biopsy to examine cell lining

Question 6

What type of biopsy for suspected oral cancer?

Answer 6

Incisional biopsy
Can’t do excisional because may leave behind cancerous cells

Question 7

How is biopsy tranpsorted?

Answer 7

Pot with 10% formalin
DO NOT place on gauze - distorts sample
Can use filter paper