Feasibility of a minimally invasive technique to collect microbiopsies from sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) for histological analysis in humans: preliminary results

<bold>Background:</bold> Assessing respiratory muscle structure is a key element to comprehensively evaluate respiratory muscle function and SCM represents an accessible and promising target for such purpose. <bold>Aim:</bold> to test the feasibility of collecting microbiopsies from SCM using a minimally invasive microbiopsy technique for histological analysis in humans. <bold>Methods:</bold> 3 to 5 SCM microbiopsies (Bard, 16G) were taken bilaterally with ultrasound guidance in 4 fresh-frozen corpses available for research and 2 adult deceased subjects within 6h after death. Biopsies were frozen in liquid nitrogen-cooled isopentane. Sections were stained for fiber typing (myosin heavy chain immunostaining), capillaries and satellite cells (SC) amount (CD31 and Pax7 immunostaining, respectively). <bold>Results:</bold> Fig. 1A provides a summary of the collected microbiopsies. Eight microbiopsies (1 in corpses and 7 in deceased subjects) provided sufficient cross-sectionally oriented fibers for analysis (161±97,range 31-317). Stainings for fiber typing, capillaries and SC amount were feasible (Fig. 1B-D), allowing for quantifications of fiber types size and proportion, satellite cells amount and capillary-to-fiber ratio (Fig. 1B-D). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> This technique holds significant potential for collecting material of good quality from SCM to quantify fiber types, capillaries and SC amount in humans. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA1713/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig>