Colonic biopsy practice for evaluation of diarrhea in patients with normal endoscopic findings: results from a national endoscopic database

Diagnostic yield and economic implications of endoscopic colonic biopsies in patients with chronic diarrhoea

“…Furthermore, there is a yet undefined cost implication with the adoption of such a policy. Consequently, previous research has reported variations in practice despite the recommendations for routine biopsies [6]. Our study results indicate a 21.1% (32 ⁄ 152) overall positivity rate of random biopsies and a high yield of such biopsies (86.7%; 13 ⁄ 15) resulting in therapeutic interventions when there is macroscopic mucosal inflammation in keeping with the clinical expectations.…”

“…Furthermore, there is a yet undefined cost implication with the adoption of such a policy. Consequently, previous research has reported variations in practice despite the recommendations for routine biopsies [6].…”

The endoscopically normal colon: when is mapping biopsy histopathologically justifiable?: Table 1

“…Although there have been other, more clinician orientated, papers calling for greater uniformity in this area of practice,1 22 pathologists continue to report considerable numbers of histologically normal colonic mapping biopsy series from patients with endoscopically normal colonic mucosa and a wide range of non-specific symptoms (frequently not in keeping with the typical history of microscopic colitis). Preparing and examining these sections is labour intensive and time consuming for both laboratory staff and pathologists.…”

Adequacy of flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsy for diarrhea in patients under age 50 without features of proximal disease

“…6,38,39 This is important, because studies report highly variable biopsy practices in the investigation of diarrhea. 40 Here, a median of 6 biopsy specimens were taken from the left side of the colon of each patient in this study; however, the optimal number and distribution of biopsy specimens to maximize diagnostic yield requires further study. The use of flexible sigmoidoscopy and biopsy rather than colonoscopy as the first-line endoscopic test may be associated with a significant resource benefit on the basis of this analysis.…”