Essential Wound Care: Basics Every Dermatologist Should Know-Wound Biopsy

Video Transcription

Video Summary

Carrie Wanet, from the Medical College of Wisconsin, discusses the importance of wound biopsy in wound care. Key reasons for biopsy include obtaining a diagnosis, excluding certain conditions, evaluating infections, and assessing vasculitis through direct immunofluorescence. Unlike superficial swabs, a tissue biopsy is needed for identifying deep infections. Biopsies are crucial for atypical ulcers, slow-healing wounds, rapid changes, and when clinical suspicion is high. The biopsy location is essential, particularly the wound edge, for representative histopathology. Full-thickness biopsies and tissue cultures help in accurately diagnosing malignancies or inflammatory conditions.

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by Karolyn Wanat, MD, FAAD

Keywords

wound biopsy

diagnosis

infection evaluation

immunofluorescence

histopathology