Ileum biopsies

[elly]

Is it typical for 16 biopsies to be taken with an ileoscopy through about 60 cm of ileum? Also, how deep/how much tissue does the biopsy take, is it supposed to cause any symptoms (my brother has been feeling sick since after the scope), and how long does it take to heal (in general)?

 

[Jennifer]

That's almost 2 feet so it doesn't sound like a lot or too little, just sounds thorough to me and the ileum is a common area to find active crohns. Generally the biopsies are small, we're talking millimeters, maybe about 5mm wide at most. I can't find an exact number anywhere and I never asked my doc but I did see the before and after pictures of where they took the biopsies and they are very tiny. Definitely not any larger than the tip of your pinky finger. And they aren't as deep as they are wide. You really shouldn't feel anything except feel a little bloated from the air they pump in to take the biopsies. As far as how long they take to heal, I'm not sure. Your body should repair itself rather quickly on the inside as many people are told that they can eat normally within a few hours. You can introduce food gradually if you're worried. Possible complications are bleeding or infection but aren't common. If either occur than contact your GI right away and they may have you come in or tell you to go to the ER. But again it isn't common.

 

[Zalanicht]

Was he feeling sick before the scope? Cause if so your going to feel sick after the scope.
I remember my scope I only remember red on the screen and some tiny claw thing poking around.

 

[Lisa]

And what type of sick? In the past, I have been crampy after the procedure - either from the flare I was in, the biopsies (like in the 20-30 range), or just from the procedure itself. Some blood may be normal too depending on how many and where the biopsies were taken.

If he is running a temperature, I would keep an eye on that and call the Dr if it didn't go away in a day or so, or if it gets over 102.