title: Diagnostic quality of percutaneous fine-needle aspirates and laparoscopic biopsy specimens of the liver in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate diagnostic quality of liver percutaneous ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirates and laparoscopic biopsy specimens of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  7 healthy adult rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  3 to 5 liver fine-needle aspirates were obtained with a 22-gauge needle under ultrasound guidance in anesthetized rabbits. Liver biopsy specimens were also obtained with 1.7-mm (n = 2) or 3.0-mm (1) biopsy forceps by direct laparoscopic observation. Fine-needle aspirates were cytologically evaluated on a scale from 0 (suboptimal specimen) to 3 (optimal specimen) for cellularity, cell distribution, cell preservation, cell morphology, and blood contamination. Biopsy specimens were histologically evaluated on a scale from 0 (optimal specimen) to 5 (suboptimal specimen) for artifactual changes; numbers of portal triads and central veins were quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Aspirates were moderately to highly cellular (mean, 2.54) with good cell distribution (mean, 2.56), good cell preservation (mean, 2.20), and moderate blood contamination (mean, 1.04). The 1.7-mm biopsy specimens had a mean score of 1.3 for artifactual changes and contained a mean of 0.6 portal triads and 1.6 central veins/biopsy specimen. The 3.0-mm liver biopsy specimens had a mean score of 2.7 for artifactual changes, with a mean of 4.0 portal triads and 4.14 central veins/biopsy specimen. All but one 3.0-mm liver biopsy specimen had ≥ 1 portal triad suitable for histologic evaluation, and all had ≥ 1 central vein; in contrast, only half of the 1.7-mm liver biopsy specimens had a discernible portal triad or central vein.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For histologic evaluation, advantages of obtaining 3.0-mm liver biopsy specimens, compared with 1.7-mm liver biopsy specimens or fine-needle aspirates, should be considered in rabbits with suspected liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602.
authors.forename: Laila M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Proença
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camus
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nemeth
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Dainna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stelmach
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Divers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000662:veterinary*