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Endoscopy 1989; 21(4): 165-167
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1012933
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Snare and Large Forceps Biopsies in the Histologic Diagnosis of Gastric Vascular Ectasia in Cirrhosis

E. Saperas, J. M. Piqué, R. Perez-Ayuso, J. A. Bombi, J. M. Bordas, J. Sentis, J. Rodés
  • Gastroenterology, Pathology and Biostatistics Departments. Hospital Clinic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
This study was supported by research grant number 86.1176 F.I.S. (Spain)
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Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

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Summary

To compare snare and large forceps biopsies in the histologic diagnosis of gastric vascular ectasia (GVE) in cirrhosis, two groups of patients were studied: (a) 8 cirrhotic patients in whom endoscopy disclosed multiple gastric red spots (GRS), and (b) 5 cirrhotic patients with no GRS.

Histologic examination of snare specimens identified dilated capillaries in the mucosa of the stomach in 75 % of the cirrhotic patients with GRS, while large forceps specimens enabled the diagnosis of GVE only in 20 % of the cases (p < 0.05). Morphometric analysis of snare specimens demonstrated a significantly greater mean mucosal capillary cross-sectional area in cirrhotic patients with GRS than in cirrhotic patients without these lesions (p < 0.05), while no differences in this parameter was observed in large forceps specimens.

These findings indicate that gastric mucosal specimens obtained with large forceps are not useful for establishing the histologic diagnosis of GVE in cirrhotic patients with GRS.

Key words:

Cirrhosis - Gastric vascular ectasia - Biopsy - Forceps - Snare