Quality of tissue specimens obtained endoscopically from the duodenum of dogs and cats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate quality of duodenal tissue specimens obtained endoscopically from dogs and cats and submitted to 1 of 2 diagnostic laboratories for evaluation.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Slides from 50 consecutive canine and 50 consecutive feline endoscopically obtained duodenal tissue specimens submitted to laboratory 1 and 49 consecutive canine and 46 consecutive feline specimens submitted to laboratory 2.


METHODS
Slides were examined independently by 3 investigators, and each tissue piece on each slide was classified as clearly inadequate, questionable, or clearly adequate on the basis of 4 criteria. An overall score was then assigned to the slide.


RESULTS
Slides from laboratory 1 were more likely to be scored as clearly adequate and less likely to be scored as clearly inadequate than slides from laboratory 2. Clearly adequate slides from laboratory 1 had a higher number of clearly adequate pieces of tissue than did clearly adequate slides from laboratory 2. Slides scored as clearly adequate had a higher number of individual tissue pieces than did slides scored as clearly inadequate.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that the quality of endoscopically obtained duodenal tissue specimens submitted to laboratories can vary, possibly because of differences in experience of individuals collecting biopsy specimens. Results suggest that at least 8 individual tissue pieces should be submitted when performing endoscopic biopsy of the duodenum in dogs and cats.
Willard
M D
MD
Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843, USA.
Lovering
S L
SL
Cohen
N D
ND
Weeks
B R
BR
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D004384:Duodenoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology*; D007753:Laboratories / Q000592:standards*; D011786:Quality Control; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*