Q For Vets and Peepul Doctors

[kookbreaker]

Hey you educated types.

Can someone explain the difference between an Aspiration and a Biopsy?

In simple terms...please.

It is cat related.

Thanks!

 

[PatKelley]

As far as my limited knowledge... Aspiration is drawing fluid with a needle, Biopsy is cutting a tissue sample.

 

[athon]

Pretty much what Pat said. Aspirates are typically accumulated fluids from cysts or taken from places such as the pleural cavity. Biopsies are commonly taken with a wider-guage and are tissue masses.

Athon

 

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

Hey you educated types.

Can someone explain the difference between an Aspiration and a Biopsy?

In simple terms...please.

It is cat related.

Thanks!

Fine Needle Aspiration= hypodermic syringe + needle to suck out some cells/fluid for indentification. Easy. Quick. Cheap. Usually only yields separated cells and no information about the architecture of the tissue. Often enough to give basis for next action

Needle Biopsy= Device to take a core of tissue. This can yield a more complete diagnosis including the architecture of the tissue. Sometimes called a "Tru-cut" biopsy because of the brand name of one type of needle.

Excisional Biopsy= cutting out a bit of tissue, especially including its margins with apparently normal tissue in the case of suspeced neoplasia.

 

[Rolfe]

Insert obligatory comment from pathologist type.

"There is insufficient harvest of cells on this slide to make a diagnosis. Surgical biopsy is recommended."

Rolfe.

 

[kookbreaker]

Insert obligatory comment from pathologist type.

"There is insufficient harvest of cells on this slide to make a diagnosis. Surgical biopsy is recommended."

Rolfe.

Is that fairly typical? My cat's Aspiration was inconclusive and I have the choice of doign another one or going straight for exploratory surgury. I just wonder if I am wasting my time with a second Aspiration.

 

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

Is that fairly typical? My cat's Aspiration was inconclusive and I have the choice of doign another one or going straight for exploratory surgury. I just wonder if I am wasting my time with a second Aspiration.

Abdominal mass?

 

[Zep]

Abodminal Mass: Fridays, 9pm.

(Sorry, couldn't resist. Carry on, don't mind me!)

 

[Rolfe]

Is that fairly typical? My cat's Aspiration was inconclusive and I have the choice of doign another one or going straight for exploratory surgury. I just wonder if I am wasting my time with a second Aspiration.

That is very typical indeed. My advice would be to go for a surgical biopsy. The case is obviously heading that way anyway, and I'd question whether there's any point in spending more money and doing more things while hesitating on the threshold. It may be that your vet is just trying to work you up to it gradually.

The uncomfortable part is that exploratory laparotomy in cases like this can be the way we find out things we'd rather not know. On the other hand, finding out about it doesn't actually make it worse, and if it is something that can be treated, it's the essential first step to sorting out the best course of management.

Rolfe.

 

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

That is very typical indeed. My advice would be to go for a surgical biopsy. The case is obviously heading that way anyway, and I'd question whether there's any point in spending more money and doing more things while hesitating on the threshold.

Unless we are talking about a contrast between conscious FNA, £20 thank you, and complex exp lap, £500 thank you, when it might still be worth spending another £20 on the off-chance you confirm a diagnosis of lymphoma and don't need the exp lap diagnosis to plan treatment. If the FNA is £200 because you're taking care and using ultrasound guidance then I think I'd rather spend more money in the first place and get a fuller answer.

Having said that, in most cases, I cut to the chase and get a proper biopsy if the FNA is inconclusive. Also that avoids the risk of blindly sticking the needle into some big vessel buried in an abdominal mass.

 

[Rolfe]

Unless we are talking about a contrast between conscious FNA, £20 thank you, and complex exp lap, £500 thank you, when it might still be worth spending another £20 on the off-chance you confirm a diagnosis of lymphoma and don't need the exp lap diagnosis to plan treatment. If the FNA is £200 because you're taking care and using ultrasound guidance then I think I'd rather spend more money in the first place and get a fuller answer.

Having said that, in most cases, I cut to the chase and get a proper biopsy if the FNA is inconclusive. Also that avoids the risk of blindly sticking the needle into some big vessel buried in an abdominal mass.

Well, obviously it's arguable either way, but considering that they've had one shot at the aspiration already with inconclusive results, I'd cut to the chase. Get a proper look at what you're dealing with, maybe see if there's a prospect of surgical treatment - oh, and please people, take out pet health insurance!

Rolfe.

 

[kookbreaker]

i have schedule the surgery for my cat. The previous Aspiration was ultrasound guided and that was not cheap. The surgery bit seems to be the ultimate solution. I hate putting my cat under the knife, but something is wrong with her and the vet needs to know what!

 

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

i have schedule the surgery for my cat. The previous Aspiration was ultrasound guided and that was not cheap. The surgery bit seems to be the ultimate solution. I hate putting my cat under the knife, but something is wrong with her and the vet needs to know what!

If US guided biopsy was non-diagnostic I would certainly not bother repeating it and would go for the surgery, so I agree with your choice.

 

[Rolfe]

i have schedule the surgery for my cat. The previous Aspiration was ultrasound guided and that was not cheap. The surgery bit seems to be the ultimate solution. I hate putting my cat under the knife, but something is wrong with her and the vet needs to know what!

I really, really hope this turns out well and that whatever they find, it is treatable.

Rolfe.