Biopsy sample

Hi,

I've just seen my biopsy results and there was only one piece of duodenal tissue tested. Is this enough to give definitive diagnosis? My understanding was that there should be several samples from different areas.

Thank you for reading,

Louise.

* Photo of letter to my GP added

[Hidden]

hi Louise, you are right, there should be (from memory) I think six samples taken. The villi damage (if it's there) won't be consistent all over the gut, so they should be from different areas in an attempt to catch it if present.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. I've added a photo of the report that was sent to my GP just in case I'm being a bit dim (it wouldn't be the first time)

Louise

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

hmmm I'd not be happy with that I'm sorry to say. How intensely annoying for you

I think I binned all my paperwork (in a hissy fit at some point) but am almost certain they specified on the hospital paperwork that they'd taken 6 samples (or it could have been 4 but I'm pretty sure 6 as I vaguely remember being pleased)

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

So it's not my imagination then 😕 I finally have a follow up appointment on 23rd of this month so I guess the consultant will have some questions to answer and a request for an in-house referral to dermatology too. He's going to love me lol. I just wish the medical profession was somewhat competent but from experience they're not great which is why I generally try to avoid them.

Thank you for your help,

Louise

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

well I wouldn't take my word as gospel but it does LOOK like only got one biopsy (which is definitely not good). Really good luck.

[Cooper27]

What did the nurse who did the biopsy say? My understanding is they can tell you on the spot whether the villi look damaged, and the biopsy itself is just to confirm what the nurse saw.

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

Nothing was said to me at the time. It was done under GA

[Cooper27 in reply to Hidden]

I don't know if different hospitals do things differently, but my OH was sent home with a letter from the nurse saying her observations (flattened villi) and then he received a letter a few weeks later just reiterating that and confirming coeliac disease. Other coeliac's we spoke to in our area said the nurse told them on the spot too.

I don't know how many samples they took though, but 1 does sound a bit low.

[Hidden in reply to Cooper27]

From what I've been led to believe they only took two but from the report only one was tested so either way it's not enough.

[Jacks]

It's possible that this wasn't requested as a duodenal biopsy to detect coeliac disease, especially given the pathology report. When you see the consultant you can ask what they were looking for. My mate had giardia and had identical symptoms to my CD, except his was cured by a dose of strong antibiotics and mine is the lifelong GF diet.