Comparison of 2 differently sized endoscopic biopsy forceps in the evaluation of intestinal disease in cats

In clinical practice, histopathological diagnosis of chronic intestinal disease is challenging because of difficulty in obtaining adequate duodenal samples. At present, no studies have investigated the influence of biopsy forceps size on sample quality in cats.

Duodenal biopsy using larger biopsy forceps (2.4 mm) will provide higher quality samples.

Fifty client-owned cats underwent endoscopy of the upper gastrointestinal tract for evaluation of chronic gastrointestinal signs, with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or intestinal lymphoma as differential diagnoses.

For each cat, duodenal biopsy specimens were obtained using both small (1.8 mm) and large (2.4 mm) forceps and evaluated for adequacy, orientation, the presence of artifacts, villi morphology, the presence of inflammation, and neoplastic infiltration.

The percentage of adequate and evaluable biopsy specimens obtained using the larger forceps was significantly higher than that collected using the smaller forceps. Agreement between the forceps was variable for histological features and substantial in the case of lymphoma. However, in case of disagreement, the proper diagnosis usually was achieved only with the larger biopsy forceps.

Use of a larger biopsy forceps allows collection of a higher percentage of adequate and evaluable biopsy specimens compared to the commonly used smaller forceps and indirectly decreases the percentage of artifacts and increases the percentage of samples with evaluable villi. The use of a larger forceps could be helpful to obtain high-quality samples and improve diagnostic accuracy.