Prospective audit of mucosal biopsy specimens of the gastrointestinal tract.

AIMS To determine why mucosal biopsy specimens of the gastrointestinal tract were taken and whether they were justified on clinical or pathological grounds. METHODS A prospective audit of 190 consecutive biopsy specimens received in a university hospital histology department over six weeks. RESULTS The 31 separate presenting symptoms included diarrhoea (34%), abdominal pain (16%) and rectal bleeding (15%). In 41% (78/190) the histology was normal, 28% (53/190) showed inflammatory changes and 11% 21/190) carcinoma. A clear justification for the procedure was identified in over 90% (171/190) of patients. In 36% (68/190) there was a change in patient management on receipt of biopsy reports and further investigations were ordered in 29% (55/190). The mean time taken to report biopsy specimens was 4.7 working days and there was no difference between the reporting time of a pathologist compared with a consultant or a trainee. CONCLUSIONS There is no evidence that mucosal biopsy specimens are taken unnecessarily.