Assessment of the histological quality of endoscopic biopsies obtained from the canine gastro-esophageal junction.

OBJECTIVE In the dog biopsy samples from the gastro-esophageal junction (GEJ) are rarely obtained during routine gastroscopy. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the histological quality of endoscopic biopsies sampled from the canine esophagus and cardia. It was hypothesised that it is possible to sample adequate specimens from these sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS For this purpose 10 dogs with an indication for gastroscopy were enrolled in a prospective study. Biopsy samples were obtained with standard biopsy forceps for single use exactly from the GEJ thus containing preferably columnar epithelium from the cardia and squamous epithelium from the esophagus, respectively. In every dog the specimens were examined for size, layers and site, respectively. Study endpoint was reached when specimens originated from cardia and esophagus, showing at least epithelium and lamina propria mucosae, and a diameter >2mm on the slide, respectively. RESULTS 72 biopsy specimens (median 7, range 5-10) obtained from the GEJ were examined in 10 dogs. Specimens from the esophagus containing squamous epithelium with lamina propria mucosae were found in 5 of 10 (50.0%) dogs. Specimens from the cardia containing columnar epithelium with lamina propria mucosae were found in 10 of 10 (100.0%) dogs. Four of 10 (40.0%), and 10 of 10 (100.0%) dogs showed at least one specimen >2mm on the slide originating from the esophagus, and from the cardia, respectively. Histological quality was found to be adequate in 4 of 10 (40.0%) dogs, showing specimens of adequate size, originating from both esophagus and cardia, and containing at least epithelium and lamina propria mucosae. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE The pilot study provides evidence that during routine gastroscopy it is possible to sample endoscopic biopsies from the cardia and with limitations from the esophagus showing a quality adequate for histological examination of the epithelium and the lamina propria mucosae.