The Art of Targeted Biopsy

A biopsy is only as effective as its location. If the sample is taken from the wrong area, the result may be a false negative. Colposcopy addresses this issue: under magnification, the most altered area is identified, and the biopsy is taken precisely there.

The assessment following acetic acid application shows where the lesion is most pronounced. The intensity of the acetowhite effect, the sharpness of the edges, and the vascular patterns: all these indicators point to the area with the highest degree of dysplasia. This is where the biopsy should be performed.

Magnification must be sufficient during the biopsy to accurately target the intended area, but not so high that overview is lost. The magnification changer or zoom allows for optimal adjustment: higher magnification for identifying the area, medium magnification for sample collection.

The depth of the biopsy plays an important role. Superficial samples can underestimate the true extent of a lesion, while excessively deep samples can cause unnecessary bleeding. The three-dimensional representation by the colposcope aids in assessing the optimal depth.