Deep shave (tangential) biopsy. For this type of biopsy, also known as saucerization, the doctor shaves off the top layers of the skin with a small surgical blade. Bleeding from the biopsy site is stopped by applying an ointment, a chemical that stops bleeding, or a small electrical current to cauterize the wound.

Jul 21, 2020 · A shave biopsy is used when skin cancer is suspected. After the skin is numbed, the doctor performs a tangential (parallel to the skin) removal of the visible portion of solitary skin lesions. A punch biopsy involves a perpendicular circular removal of 4-, 5- or 6-mm of skin.

Jan 17, 2020 · 1. Shave (tangential) biopsy. As the name suggests, the skin’s top layers are shaved or peeled off using a small surgical blade. This method of diagnosis is only used when non-melanoma skin cancer is suspected.

Tangential biopsies (codes 11102–11103), which include shave, scoop, saucerization, or curette techniques, are performed with a sharp blade and remove a sample of epidermal tissue, with or...

Dec 19, 2024 · Excisional biopsy, which is more invasive, time- and labor-intensive, is the method of choice for diagnostic biopsy of lesions suspicious for melanoma as it allows for evaluation of the width and depth of the lesion.

Mar 12, 2025 · A skin biopsy is a procedure to remove cells or skin samples from your body so that they can be tested in a lab. A skin biopsy is often used to diagnose or rule out certain skin conditions and diseases. Common skin biopsy procedures include: Shave biopsy. Shave biopsy may be used to remove a small section of the top layers of skin.

Oct 11, 2024 · The technical term for a shave biopsy is “tangential biopsy.” During this procedure, the dermatologist uses a small blade to shave off the top layer of the skin. If you have a low risk of melanoma, your doctor may recommend a shave biopsy since it doesn’t cut as deep as a …

Tangential shave biopsy is superficial and best suited to small, raised, benign lesions. Saucerization shave biopsy is deeper and is used for excisional biopsy of atypical nevi, for squamous and basal cell carcinomas, and as initial biopsy for suspected melanoma.

A shave biopsy may be used if the skin lesion is superficial, for example to confirm a suspected diagnosis of intraepidermal carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma. A tangential shave of skin is taken using a scalpel, special shave-biopsy instrument or razor blade.

Sep 30, 2021 · A skin biopsy is a quick procedure performed in your doctor’s office. Your provider takes a biopsy to remove a small sample of skin tissue for analysis. The results of a skin biopsy can help determine the cause of a skin rash or irritation. They can also confirm or …