When it comes to medical care, getting an accurate diagnosis is essential. Ochuele Odumosu, MD, Oluwaseun Odumosu, MD, and the team at Vine Family Medicine in Keller, Texas, conduct skin biopsies to gather as much information about your skin condition as possible and provide the most effective care. If you have concerns about an abnormal skin growth and need answers to your health concerns, contact the office by phone or request a skin biopsy online today.
During a skin biopsy, a sample of your skin or cells is removed from your body and sent to a lab for further evaluation. The team at Vine Family Medicine uses the information from your skin biopsy to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Your provider at Vine Family Medicine explains why you need a skin biopsy during your consultation. You may benefit from a skin biopsy to help diagnose a skin condition, so you get the best possible treatment.
Common skin conditions that benefit from a skin biopsy include:
Skin biopsies are considered a very safe procedure. The team can remove unwanted growths, like skin tags, and routinely submits the collected specimen for pathological evaluation and diagnosis.
Your skin biopsy is performed at the office and only takes a few minutes. To ease discomfort during your skin biopsy, your provider administers a local anesthetic prior to the procedure.
The team at Vine Family Medicine uses many techniques to perform skin biopsies, including:
During a punch biopsy, your provider uses a special circular tool to remove the skin growth, along with some of the underlying fatty tissue.
During a shave biopsy, your provider uses a razor-like tool to shave the surface layers of your skin, including your epidermis and dermis layers.
During an excisional biopsy, your provider uses a scalpel to remove your skin abnormality, along with some of the surrounding normal skin and a portion of the fatty tissue underneath.
After your skin biopsy, your provider covers your wound with a bandage and provides specific instructions on caring for your wound at home.
After your skin biopsy, your provider at Vine Family Medicine sends the tissue sample out for pathological evaluation and diagnosis. The results of your skin biopsy may take several days. Your provider gives you a time frame for when you should expect the results.
Depending on the reason for your skin biopsy, your provider may schedule a follow-up appointment to review the results and discuss your treatment plan.
A skin biopsy is a routine test used to confirm or rule out a suspected skin condition. To schedule an exam, call Vine Family Medicine or request an appointment online today.