Culture - gastric tissue biopsyDefinition: A gastric tissue biopsy is an examination of a sample of gastric (stomach) tissue for culture (checking for the presence of infection-causing organisms).�The test is done to look for �the presence of certain microorganisms that may be playing a role in certain diseases.
Alternative Names: Gastric tissue culture
How the test is performed: Gastric tissue biopsy is obtained via a procedure known as an�upper endoscopy. You may be given a sedative (medicine to make you drowsy),�or narcotic (powerful pain-killing medicine), to relieve anxiety and discomfort before this test. A local anesthetic (numbing medicine)�is sprayed into the mouth and throat area. A flexible tube is passed through the mouth, down the esophagus (the food pipe), and enters the stomach. The tube may pass through to the duodenum if necessary. The tube allows the health care provider to see the various parts of the upper intestinal tract and take�tissue samples of certain areas. The samples are then sent for laboratory and pathology examination.
How to prepare for the test: No food or fluid may be ingested for 6 to 12 hours before the test. For infants and children: The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics:
How the test will feel: You may feel a gagging sensation as the tube is passed down to your esophagus. You may also feel cramping and a feeling of fullness if air is introduced to expand an area. You may have a sore throat after the procedure.
Why the test is performed: An endoscopy may be performed to determine the presence of ulcers, for which pathology and culture specimens are often useful. It also aids in the diagnosis of cancers and other conditions. Certain infections may also be diagnosed by endoscopy; therefore, a culture of tissue obtained by endoscopy may be done.
Normal Values: The acidity of the stomach provides a major barrier to excessive growth of microorganisms. The presence of certain bacteria (for example, Helicobacter pylori) or other microorganisms (such as Giardia) is abnormal.
What abnormal results mean: The culture obtained from a gastric biopsy can detect certain infection-causing�microorganisms, such as Helicobacter pylori, which plays a role in ulcer disease.
What the risks are: The risks of endoscopy include a small risk of perforation (hole) in the stomach or esophagus,�and bleeding.
Special considerations: A sample sent for pathology, to be examined under a microscope, is also important, in addition to culture, for the diagnosis of certain conditions.
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