https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/0016-5085(82)90009-9/pdf

Prospective evaluation of biopsy number in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric carcinoma.

The study evaluated 48 patients with carcinoma of the oesophagus to assess the optimal number of biopsy specimens required to obtain the highest yield. Eight specimens were obtained from each patient and two specimens were placed serially in each of four vials. The first vial provided a positive diagnosis in 95.8% of cases. The addition of two more specimens (second vial) increased the yield to 97.9% and the fifth and sixth specimens increased the positive yield to 100%. There was no statistically significant difference in the yield according to the site and the type of growth.

https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/33/6/724.full.pdf

Optimal number of biopsy specimens in the diagnosis of carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Endoscopic biopsy is necessary to confirm a histopathologic diagnosis. Currently, 6 to 8 biopsies are recommended for diagnosis of a suspected malignant lesion. However, multiple biopsies may result in several problems, such as an increased risk of bleeding, procedure prolongation, and increased workload to pathologists. The aim of this study was to clarify the optimal number of endoscopic biopsy specimens required in diagnosis of advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Patients who were diagnosed with advanced gastrointestinal cancer during endoscopy were included. Five specimens were obtained sequentially from viable tissue of the cancer margin. Experienced pathologists evaluated each specimen and provided diagnoses. A total of 91 patients were enrolled. Fifty-nine subjects had advanced gastric cancer, and 32 had advanced colon cancer. Positive diagnosis rates of the first, second, and third advanced gastric cancer specimens were 81.3%, 94.9%, and 98.3%, respectively, while positive diagnosis rates of advanced colon cancer specimens were 78.1%, 87.5%, and 93.8%. Further biopsies did not increase positive diagnosis cumulative rates. This study demonstrated that three specimens were sufficient to make correct pathologic diagnoses in advanced gastrointestinal cancer. Therefore, we recommend 3 or 4 biopsies from viable tissue in advanced gastrointestinal cancer to make a pathologic diagnosis during endoscopy.

/pdf/optimal-number-of-endoscopic-biopsies-in-diagnosis-of-15k90pqtdt.pdf

Optimal number of endoscopic biopsies in diagnosis of advanced gastric and colorectal cancer.

The influence of endoscopic forceps variables (size, design, and make) on biopsy specimen weight, depth, and diagnostic adequacy has been studied in vitro on normal human stomach, and in vivo at endoscopy in dog and in patients. Greater pressure during the biopsy procedure yielded significantly heavier, deeper, and histologically more acceptable specimens. Standard sized forceps (diameter 2.4 mm) and those with ellipsoid cups consistently produced larger specimens than the smaller 'paediatric' forceps (1.8 mm) and those with round cups. Deeper specimens were also obtained using the standard forceps. In vitro and in vivo in the dog, the standard sized forceps also produced specimens of greater diagnostic adequacy than the paediatric forceps. At endoscopy in patients, however, we could not detect any influence of the size, shape, and presence of forceps spike or fenestration on the diagnostic adequacy of the specimens.

https://gut.bmj.com/content/gutjnl/26/3/227.full.pdf

Comparison of weight, depth, and diagnostic adequacy of specimens obtained with 16 different biopsy forceps designed for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Peptic ulcer is one of the most prevalent diseases in gastrointestinal field. Recently, evolution was made for pathophysiology of peptic ulcer from "no acid, no ulcer" to Helicobacter pylori and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The prevalence of peptic ulcer disease is estimated about 10% in Korea, and has declined due to Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Peptic ulcer has the cycle of exacerbation and improvement in the clinical course, and has not occasionally any clinical symptom. Helicobacter pylori eradication has made the marked reduction of relapse of peptic ulcer disease. Although nationwide endoscopic screening has enabled accurate diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease, general guideline for diagnosis of peptic ulcer has not made in Korea. Herein, we propose a guideline for the diagnosis of peptic ulcer according to domestic, international clinical studies, and experts opinions with level of evidence and grade of recommendation.

/pdf/guidelines-of-diagnosis-for-peptic-ulcer-disease-55ggk8to3v.pdf

Guidelines of diagnosis for peptic ulcer disease

Three hundred and sixty-five biopsies under direct vision, using a fibergastroscope, were performed on 339 patients with gastric cancer from 1966 to 1975. Diagnostic accuracy improved with an increased in the number of biopsy specimens and reached 100% when 6 or more biopsy specimens were obtained. Positive specimens were obtained with 48.5% of the biopsied tissue from the center of the lesion (A), 52.2% from the inner margin of the lesion (B1), 19.6% from the outer margin of the lesion (B2), and 1.6% from the area around the lesion (C). The combined result of the biopsies from A and B1 was highly positive in 49 out of 51 cases (96.1%). Diagnostic accuracy of the early cancer reached 96.9%. This was significantly higher than that of advanced cancer (80.3%). False negative biopsies were found in 51 (16.3%) of the 313 patients who were gastrectomized and diagnosed by histological examinations. Twenty-three of the 27 patients, who were diagnosed as benign either by x-ray or endoscopic examination, and 4 of the 5 patients who were diagnosed as benign under both examinations, were found to have positive results by biopsy. Positive biopsy examination was particularly helpful with patients showing on inconclusive or benign diagnosis by x-ray and/or endoscopic examinations.

Fumiaki Ookubo

Papers

Evaluation of fibergastroscopic biopsy in the diagnosis of gastric cancer: a study of 339 cases.