Small bowel biopsy

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Small intestine biopsy

Biopsy - small bowel

Complications are rare but may include:

• Bowel perforation (hole in the bowel)
• Excessive bleeding from the biopsy site
• Infection of the biopsy site leading to bacteremia 
• Vomiting and subsequent aspiration into the lungs

Contraindications (factors that prohibit use of this test) may include uncooperative or confused patients, people taking aspirin or anticoagulants (greatly increases risk of bleeding), and people with untreated coagulation (blood clotting) disorders.

The greatest risk is bleeding. Signs include abdominal pain, blood in the stools, or vomiting blood.

Review Date: 05/08/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.