The Principles and Techniques of Biopsy: With Special Reference to Endoscopic Biopsy
Abstract
The word biopsy derives from Greek and may be loosely translated as a view of the living (bios = life, opsis = sight). The tissue for examination may be obtained from virtually any part of the human body, using a wide variety of techniques. The tissue samples are then examined either histologically, cultured for microbiology or analysed biochemically, depending on the clinical indications. Samples may also be used for cytogenetic analysis or for molecular studies, although these procedures are, at present, uncommon in routine practice.
This contribution will concentrate specifically on endoscopic biopsy, discussing the indications, techniques and pathological considerations relevant to clinical practice, as it is one of the most common special investigations in clinical practice today. An overview of various aspects of biopsy may be found in Surgery 1999; 17(10): iii–vii.
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aLinmarie Ludeman is a Specialist Registrar in Histopathology at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK. She qualified from the University of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa. She started her pathology training in Sheffield, UK and is currently part of the Bristol rotation in the UK
bRoland M Valori is Consultant Gastroenterologist at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK. He was formerly a Senior Lecturer at University College and Middlesex Hospitals, London, UK. He trained in Gastroenterology at the Royal London Hospital, London, UK, and St Mark's Hospital, Birmingham, UK. His research interest is in the application of evidence-based medicine to gastroenterology
cNeil A Shepherd is Consultant Histopathologist at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, Gloucester, UK, and Cheltenham General Hospital, Cheltenham, UK, and Visiting Professor at the University of Cranfield, UK. His research interests are largely in the pathology and molecular biology of gastro-intestinal neoplasia
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