surface biopsy

surface biopsy

the removal of living tissue for microscopic examination by scraping the surface of a lesion. It is done primarily to diagnose cancer of the uterine cervix. See also exfoliative cytology, Papanicolaou's test.

sur·face bi·op·sy

(sŭr'făs bī'op-sē)

A biopsy obtained by detaching cells from a cutaneous or mucosal surface with a spatula, cotton swab, or brush; used to diagnose cervical cancer.

biopsy

removal and examination, usually microscopic, of tissue from the living body. Biopsies are usually done to determine whether a tumor is malignant or benign; however, a biopsy may be a useful diagnostic aid in other disease processes such as infections.

---

aspiration biopsy

biopsy in which tissue is obtained by application of suction through a needle attached to a syringe.

bite biopsy

instrumental removal of a fragment of tissue.

bone marrow biopsy

obtaining a sample of bone marrow, usually by needle aspiration, from a long bone, rib or sternum, for cytological examination.

Needle aspiration of bone marrow. By permission from Ettinger SJ, Feldman E, Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Saunders, 2004

brush biopsy

removal of cells and tissue fragments using a brush with stiff bristles (introduced through an endoscope). Effective in obtaining tissue samples from inaccessible places such as the renal pelvis.

closed biopsy

one carried out without access through an open incision such as a laparotomy. An example is a percutaneous, fine needle aspirate.

cone biopsy

biopsy in which an inverted cone of tissue is excised, as from the uterine cervix.

cytological biopsy

obtaining specimens of cells by various methods including irrigation of a hollow tube.

biopsy dart

an alternative to immobilization of large and wild animals; a dart which cuts a skin bipsy, then falls out. Limited to use for superficial lesions.

endoscopic biopsy

removal of tissue by appropriate instruments through an endoscope.

excisional biopsy

biopsy of tissue removed from the body by surgical cutting.

exploratory biopsy

a combination of exploratory surgery to determine size and location of a lesion and the taking of a biopsy.

fine needle biopsy

see needle biopsy (below).

hepatic biopsy

may be by transperitoneal incision, more commonly by percutaneous needle or trocar and cannula technique.

incisional biopsy

biopsy of a selected portion of a lesion.

needle biopsy

biopsy in which tissue is obtained by puncture of a tumor, the tissue within the lumen of the needle being detached by rotation, and the needle withdrawn.

punch biopsy

see punch biopsy.

Robson-Heggers biopsy

a procedure for the collection of a piece of tissue from an infected wound in order to determine the extent and the nature of the infection.

sternal biopsy

biopsy of bone marrow of the sternum removed by puncture or trephining (see also sternal puncture).

surface biopsy

sample of cells scraped from the surface of a lesion or obtained by impression smears.

surgical biopsy

one obtained during a surgical procedure.

synovial biopsy

by a needle biopsy technique or through an arthrotomy incision using special forceps for a bite biopsy.

total biopsy

obtained by removal of the entire lesion. May be for therapeutic as well as diagnostic purposes.

ultrasound-guided biopsy

use of ultrasonography to guide the passage of a needle or biopsy instrument into an internal organ or lesion.