Biopsy of hand, wrist, and forearm tumors.

This article describes three biopsy methods currently used for treating masses arising in the hand, wrist, and forearm: open biopsy, fine needle aspiration, and core needle biopsy. The forearm, wrist, and hand comprise a complex and diverse anatomic region, and biopsy is emphasized as the most important element in the diagnosis of the musculoskeletal tumor. Biopsy methods for assessing true neoplasms, bony protuberances, cysts,infection and abscesses, foreign bodies, reactive granulomas, tenosynovial proliferation,and skin and fascial lesions are discussed.