Small bowel tissue smear is a laboratory test that checks for disease-causing substances in a sample of tissue from the small intestine.
How the test is performed:
A sample of tissue from the small intestine is removed during a procedure called esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). For more information on this procedure, see: EGD.
The sample is sent to a laboratory, where it is placed on a microscope slide, stained, and sliced for examination.
How to prepare for the test:
For information on how to prepare for the removal of tissue from your small intestine, see: EGD.
How the test will feel:
The laboratory smear does not involve the patient, so there is no pain. For information on how it will feel to have a sample of intestinal tissue removed, see: EGD.
Review Date: 12/3/2007
Reviewed By: D. Scott Smith, M.D., MSc, DTM&H, Chief of Infectious Disease & Geographic Medicine, Kaiser Redwood City, CA & Adjunct Assistant Professor, Stanford University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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