Biopsy pathology of muscle

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Introduction

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 1-13

3. Laboratory methods

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 14-33

4. Histological and morphometric characteristics of normal muscle

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 34-46

5. Histological features of myopathic and neurogenic disorders

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 47-75

6. Inflammatory myopathies

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 76-94

7. Muscular dystrophies

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 95-116

8. ‘Benign’ myopathies of childhood

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 117-131

9. Metabolic, endocrine and drug-induced myopathies

   • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

   Pages 132-157

10. Neurogenic disorders

    • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

    Pages 158-179

11. Tumours of striated muscle, and related disorders

    • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

    Pages 180-191

12. Interpretation of the muscle biopsy

    • Michael Swash, Martin S. Schwartz

    Pages 192-198

13. Back Matter

    Pages 199-206

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During the last 20 years the development of enzyme histochemical techniques has contributed greatly to knowledge of muscle pathology. However, these and other new methods, such as electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, have only relatively recently become gener­ ally available for routine use in histopathology. Muscle biopsy is a long-established technique in clinical practice, having been introduced by Duchenne in 1868 (Arch. Gen. Med. , 11, 5-179). However, the needle method used by Duchenne was not generally adopted, although Shank and Hoagland described a similar technique in 1943 (Science, 98, 592). During this time muscle biopsies required a surgical procedure and this was a considerable disincentive to their use. It was not until Bergstrom (1962; Scand. J. Clin. Lab. Invest. , 14, Suppl. 68) and Edwards (1971; Lancet, ii, 593--6) developed a simple biopsy needle suitable for muscle work in connection with exercise physiology that the advantages of needle muscle biopsies came to be appreciated. Since then, muscle biopsies have become a relatively minor procedure. This has led to the increasing use of muscle biopsy in clinical practice, both for diagnosis and for assessing progress in repeated biopsies during the course of a disorder and its treatment. The full range of enzyme histochemical and ultrastructural histological techniques can be applied to these small biopsies and many of the older histological staining methods can also be used. This book is intended to serve as a practical guide in muscle pathology, particularly for histopathologists, and for those in training.

• biopsy
• electron microscopy
• histopathology
• pathology

• The London Hospital and St Mark’s Hospital, London, UK

  Michael Swash

• The London Hospital Medical College, London, UK

  Michael Swash

• St George’s Hospital (Atkinson Morley’s Hospital), London, UK

  Martin S. Schwartz

Policies and ethics