MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Small intestine biopsy

Medical Encyclopedia

Small intestine biopsy

Small bowel biopsy is a diagnostic procedure in which a portion of the small bowel lining is removed for examination. A flexible fiberoptic or video tube (endoscope) is inserted through your mouth or nose and into the upper gastrointestinal tract where a tissue sample is removed. This test is most often performed to help diagnose diseases of the small intestines.

Update Date: 2/29/2008

Updated by: Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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