title: Depth of colorectal biopsies with proctoscopic forceps.
abstract: It has been suggested that a barium enema may safely follow a colorectal biopsy superficial to the muscularis propria within 24 hours, but that the colon radiograph should be postponed 3 to 7 days following a biopsy including this layer. The authors prospectively studied 67 colorectal biopsies obtained with the Wolf 3-mm (grasping) and 5-mm (cutting) proctoscopic forceps from 49 patients to determine the depth of the biopsies. The 5-mm biopsies were not significantly deeper than the 3-mm biopsies (p greater than 0.5). In 18 patients biopsied with each instrument, the 3-mm biopsy was deeper in two cases (11%), the 5-mm biopsy was deeper in three cases (17%), and the biopsies were of equal depth in 13 cases (72%). None of the biopsies with either forceps reached the muscularis propria. The authors concluded that it may be unnecessary to wait longer than 24 hours before performing a barium enema after colorectal biopsy with these forceps.
mesh_terms: D001466:Barium Sulfate; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003106:Colon / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020700:Proctoscopes; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012007:Rectum / Q000473:pathology*; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001466:Barium Sulfate