THE TECHNIQUE OF PERCUTANEOUS ULTRASOUND GUIDED FINE-NEEDLE ASPIRATION BIOPSY AND AUTOMATED MICROCORE BIOPSY IN SMALL ANIMAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES

Techniques for obtaining percutaneous ultrasound-guided biopsies of the gastrointestinal tract were evaluated. The efficacity of ultrasonographic detection of gastrointestinal lesions has been established in veterinary medicine. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided aspiration biopsies were performed using either a 22 gauge spinal needle or a 20 gauge Westcott needle. The microcore automated biopsy was performed using a 18 gauge Tru-cut-like needle, assisted by an automated biopsy gun. These techniques are rapid, and easily performed. The techniques were considered safe for the patient, no complications such as hemorrhage, peritonitis or abscessation have occured in our study. These techniques are of particular interest when lesion can not be biopsied successfully by endoscopy and when surgical resection is not recommended.