Guideline
Endoscopic mucosal tissue sampling

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Specimen handling in the endoscopy unit

Immediately after sampling, a mucosal specimen should be gently submerged into a jar containing the appropriate fixation fluid to minimize tissue desiccation and preserve tissue architecture. Specimens obtained for specific tests, such as tissue culture, molecular tests, and electron microscopy, should be handled according to the guidelines in place at the home institution. Specimens for culture should preferably be obtained first.

The fixative used for most GI mucosal biopsies is 10% buffered

GERD

There is no established biopsy protocol for GERD in the absence of recognized Barrett’s metaplasia or eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Biopsies of normal-appearing distal esophageal mucosa in patients with GERD symptoms may reveal nonspecific changes, known as minimal change esophagitis, defined as papillary elongation, basal cell hyperplasia, and dilation of intercellular space.12, 13 The clinical implications of histologic esophageal mucosal abnormalities in the absence of endoscopically

Celiac disease

Recommendations regarding mucosal tissue acquisition for the diagnosis of celiac disease have been based on expert opinion as well as emerging literature. Multiple biopsy samples taken from multiple sites are thought to help to avoid inadequate sampling caused by the patchy nature of the disease and biopsy crush artifact and allow proper specimen orientation.44, 45, 46 Celiac disease may be localized to the duodenal bulb.47, 48, 49, 50 In patients with suspected celiac disease, we recommend 4

Microscopic colitis

No consensus exists for the optimal method of mucosal sampling in suspected microscopic colitis. The potential patchy distribution of microscopic colitis sometimes requires biopsy of the right and transverse colon, in addition to the left side of the colon, for diagnosis.21, 51, 52, 53 A reasonable initial strategy may be to proceed with either flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, with biopsy samples as detailed in Table 2. In situations in which flexible sigmoidoscopy is nondiagnostic, but

Acute graft-versus-host disease

The optimal diagnostic approach for GI acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) has yet to be determined, and literature on the subject is limited. Three small prospective studies identified rectal or distal colon biopsy as the most sensitive test for the diagnosis of GI aGVHD,71, 72, 73 even in patients presenting with primarily upper GI symptoms.72, 73 One prospective study of 24 patients who had undergone bone marrow or stem cell transplantation identified EGD with sigmoidoscopy or

Disclosure

The following authors disclosed financial relationships relevant to this publication: Dr. Jain is a consultant to Boston Scientific and has received research support from Barrx. Dr. D. Fisher is a consultant to Epigenomics. Dr. Hwang is a consultant to U.S. Endoscopy and a speaker for Novartis. Dr. Pasha has received research support from CapsoVision. The other authors disclosed no financial relationships relevant to this publication.

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    This document is a product of the Standards of Practice Committee. This document was reviewed and approved by the Governing Board of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

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