Skin Lesions & Biopsies

Question 1

Indications for Shave Biopsy

Answer 1

Seborrheic Keratosis
Verrucous lesions
Molluscum contagiosum
Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

Question 2

Contraindications for Shave Biopsy

Answer 2

Pigmented
Sclerosing Basal Cell
Dermal Component

Question 3

What blade size is used for a Shave Biopsy and Excisional Biopsy?

Answer 3

15

Question 4

When there is a lesion or dermatosis that covers a large area that needs diagnosis prior to initiating treatment, what type of biopsy should be used?

Answer 4

Punch Biopsy

Question 5

What are the contraindications of a Punch Biopsy?

Answer 5

Malignant
Less than 8 - 10 cm

Question 6

After a punch biopsy, the patient should return to the clinic within how many days?

Answer 6

5 - 21

Face and Ears = 5 - 7 days
Neck = 7 days
Scalp = 7 - 10 days
Trunk and Extremities = 7 - 14 days
Distal Lower Extremities = 10 - 21 days

Question 7

Indications for an Excisional Biopsy

Answer 7

Any lesion that is small than 8 - 10mm and can be completely excised

• Melanoma
• Epidermal Inclusion Cyst
• Lipoma
• Large basal and squamous cell carcinoma
• Dermal lesions larger than 1 cm

Question 8

If a patient is coming in a for biopsy, should they discontinue their anticoagulants?

Answer 8

If possible, for 2 - 4 days before the procedure.