Comparative analysis of duodenal biopsy tissue orientation supported on vegetable matrix versus filter paper.
BACKGROUND
Biopsy tissue may get disoriented if filter paper is used as a supporting medium. Use of vegetable matrix (cucumber) as a supporting medium may obviate the need of lifting the tissue while making blocks and thus avoid disorientation that occurs during this step.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the orientation of duodenal biopsy tissue supported on vegetable matrix (cucumber) and on filter paper.


METHODS
Over one year, 40 patients (20 with large-volume diarrhea, 20 with dyspepsia) were included in the study. Two pairs of duodenal biopsy tissues were obtained during gastroscopy; one pair was placed on filter paper, the other on vegetable matrix. Tissue and vegetable matrix were embedded together while making blocks, whereas the tissue had to be lifted off in case of filter paper. Sections were stained and assessed for crypt-villous alignment, parallel orientation of crypts and presence of visible muscularis mucosae with the help of a scoring system.


RESULTS
Compared to biopsy tissue supported on filter paper, vegetable matrix-supported tissues were better oriented. Scores were rated as bad, good and very good in 8, 11 and 21 vegetable matrix-mounted tissues and in 21, 11 and 8 filter paper-mounted tissues, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Duodenal biopsy tissue supported on vegetable matrix (cucumber) is better oriented than that on filter paper.
Department of Pathology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh.
Ritambhra
R
Nada
Ajay
A
Duseja
Atul
A
Sachdev
Harsh
H
Mohan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018553:Cucumis sativus; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000473:pathology; D004386:Duodenum / Q000473:pathology*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016610:Tissue Embedding / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*