A lesion map is used to indicate which areas are affected by lesions and the correct biopsy site. Skin biopsy site selection and the interpretation of the biopsy report influence the value of the biopsy for the diagnosis of inflammatory skin diseases. Skin diseases often have several lesions that change significantly throughout the course of the disease. The lesions are typically heterogenous and some areas of the lesion are more diagnostic than others. The biopsy site, time of biopsy in the course of the disease and area of the lesion biopsied are important to increase the accuracy of diagnosis. Primary skin lesions should be used for biopsy as these lesions result from the underlying pathologic processes of skin diseases and are the most diagnostic. Lesions with a bilaterally symmetrical distribution are usually due to endocrine diseases while lesions that are randomly distributed may be due to external parasites such as ticks.
REFERENCES: Linder, KE 2001, ‘Skin biopsy site selection in small animal dermatology with an introduction to histologic pattern-analysis of inflammatory skin lesions’,
Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice, vol .16, no. 4, pp. 207-213.[http://www.sciencedirect.com].
