How, where and when to make a biopsy?

Abstract

Considering the more than 2000 dermatoses it gets clear, that clinical morphology alone in many cases is not sufficient for making a correct diagnosis. Histomorphology can provide  additional significant information in many but not in all cases. In order to save efforts, patient’s inconvenience and costs it is important to know not only how and where to make a biopsy but also when a dermatopathologic investigation is mandatory and helpful in order to avoid misdiagnoses and wasting patients distress, time and money. Without being comprehensive some typical examples for various possible constellations are described.