Small bowel biopsy
Last updated: Saturday, 27, March, 2004
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| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | Endoscopic, capsule biopsy or resected specimen. |
| Method | Fresh tissue for: frozen section; molecular genetics; flow cytometry; stereomicroscopy; and disaccharidases. Fixed tissue for: light microscopy; immunohistochemistry; and electron microscopy (special fixative). |
| Application | Investigation of malabsorption; persistent unexplained diarrhoea (eg, coeliac disease, sugar intolerance, giardiasis); inflammatory bowel disease; gastrointestinal tract bleeding; and lymphoma. |
| Interpretation | Report by pathologist may identify disease process including type of enteropathy, nature of infection, and tumour type, grade and stage. See also Disaccharidase - small bowel mucosa. |
| Reference | Emory TS et al. Atlas of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Endoscopic Biopsies. Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and American Registry of Pathology 2000. |