In Practice 8: 112-116 (1986)
© 1986 British Veterinary Association

Biopsy — Principles and specimen management

Biopsy techniques should aim to produce well-preserved, representative samples ot lesions w hich allow accurate diagnosis. There is often plessure to obtain a quick result. However, the rules for acquisition, handling and transport of biopsies should not be sacrificed for the sake of speed. Badly taken, poorly preserved and presented specimens with inadequate information often result in delays in processing, difficulties in diagnosis and misunderstanding between clinician and pathologist.

Fluids and impression smears are samples from which the practitioner can quickly reap considerable information. preparative techniques are relatively simple and inexpensive. Given practice at interpretation, exfoliative cytology can be a powerful adjunct to the practitioners' aids to diagnosis.