| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 2
| Issue : 2 | Page : 100-105 |
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Artifacts in oral biopsy specimens: A comparison of scalpel, punch, and laser biopsies
Sarita Yanduri, Garima Pandey, Veerendra B Kumar, S Suma, MG Madhura
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, D. A. Pandu Memorial R. V. Dental College and Hospital, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Sarita Yanduri
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, D. A. Pandu Memorial R. V. Dental College and Hospital, No. CA 37, 24th Main Road, 1st Phase, J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru - 560 078, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2393-8692.196147
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Background: Biopsy is an important tool which aids in the diagnosis of lesions ranging from simple non-neoplastic growths to malignancies. The choice of technique depends on factors such as anatomic site and morphology of the lesion. Oral biopsies can be performed using different techniques, in which scalpel biopsy is the conventional method. Punch biopsies are also quite popular because they are safe and can be rapidly performed. However, the above techniques cannot provide hemostasis which is required on highly vascular tissues. As a result, lasers have been gaining popularity. Nevertheless, laser-tissue interactions may produce some artifactual changes, especially at the margins, such as thermal damage and coagulation which may impair the histopathological diagnosis. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare artifacts produced in scalpel, punch, and laser biopsies and to determine the most effective tool of the three in terms of oral biopsies. Materials and Methods: Thirty hematoxylin and eosin stained sections, ten each of conventional scalpel, punch, and laser biopsies, were retrieved from the archives and analyzed for artifacts under a light microscope. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the three techniques in terms of orientation, crush, and hemorrhage. Both horizontal and vertical splits were seen in scalpel biopsies (70%) while none were present in the other two techniques. Loss of epithelium was maximum with laser biopsies, and thermal damage was also exclusively seen in this technique. Conclusion: Punch biopsy revealed the least number of artifacts. Laser, compared to scalpel and punch, produces artifacts which may render the margins of the lesions uninterpretable. |
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