title: Optimal number of biopsy specimens in the diagnosis of carcinoma of the oesophagus.
abstract: The study evaluated 48 patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus to assess the optimal number of biopsy specimens required to obtain the highest yield. Eight specimens were obtained from each patient and two specimens were placed serially in each of four vials. The first vial provided a positive diagnosis in 95.8% of cases. The addition of two more specimens (second vial) increased the yield to 97.9% and the fifth and sixth specimens increased the positive yield to 100%. There was no statistically significant difference in the yield according to the site and the type of growth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bhasin
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013048:Specimen Handling