What Does Inconlusive Biospy Mean?

[SpikeMoore]

Hi

Just wondering if anyone else had an inconclusive biopsy and what that means, eg lab error, sample error.

[psawyer]

There are two possible results to the biopsy: Positive and inconclusive. There is no "negative" for at least a couple of reasons.

The biopsy takes a tissue sample. It does not test every bit of tissue in the intestine. Although multiple samples may be taken, the fact that none of the samples show damage may simply mean that the samples missed it. Go into your front yard, and dig up ten samples, each one square inch. Examine each one for dog excrement. If you don't find any in the samples, it does not mean that your entire yard is free of you-know-what.

Depending on the stage of the disease, and the amount of gluten that was consumed in the period prior to the biopsy, there may be no detectable damage. If you have been truly gluten-free for three months prior to the biopsy, then is likely that any damage that was there has healed. If the progession is early enough, it is also possible that detectable damage is not yet present.

Lab error is always possible, but the above causes are more likely.

[elonwy]

My biopsy was "inconclusive". The reason written on the from my GI was that there was no "gross flattening of the vilii" which basically meant that there were some areas of his samples that were showing some slight flattening but nothing extreme. I went on the diet the day after I got home from the biopsy, and by the time I had my results back it was two weeks later and I could already tell the difference. So even though my biopsy was "inconclusive" based on positive bloodwork and positive dietary response, I was officially diagnosed with Celiac.

Do you have the actual copy of the results with your doctors notes? You have the right to see that. That may give a better clue. I get a copy of and keep all of my records from the doctor, from the test requests to the results. I have caught them doing the wrong lab test twice now, just because I've asked for copies of my paperwork and paid attn (but I totally digress here).

They should give you a better explanation than "inconclusive". You may have to bug them, but they should tell you why.

HTH

Elonwy

[Nancym]

You might also want to have the biopsy evaluated by another doctor as well. Some just aren't uptodate on the lastest diagnostics and might be hesitant to give a diagnosis with changes that others would call. Usually this fear is because they think a gluten-free diet is harder than it really is.