EVALUATION OF THE 2-MM PUNCH BIOPSY IN DERMATOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS

This prospective study was undertaken to determine whether the 2-mm pu nch biopsy technique yields specimens of sufficient size and quality t o allow a reliable histological diagnosis to be made. A histopathologi cal comparison was made between tissue obtained from a 2-mm punch biop sy and a standard ellipse biopsy taken from a wide range of dermatoses and benign and malignant skin tumours. In 79 of the 84 cases studied, the same histopathological diagnosis was reached with the 2-mm punch biopsy and the standard ellipse. Use of the 2-mm punch biopsy techniqu e produces specimens which allow an accurate histological diagnosis to be made in a wide range of dermatological conditions.