Evaluation of a manual biopsy device, the 'Spirotome', on fresh canine organs: liver, spleen, and kidneys, and first clinical experiences in animals.

Several methods for obtaining specimens from abdominal organs have been described. Imaging-guided biopsy, particularly ultrasound-guided biopsy, is the most frequently used in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic quality of histological samples obtained with a manual biopsy device (Spirotome) on biopsies of the liver, spleen, and kidney, in fresh canine organs and in live animals in a clinical trial. The study was divided into two different parts, one using normal fresh canine organs with a total of 60 biopsies, 20 of liver, spleen, and kidney, respectively; and one on clinical patients, including 35 biopsied lesions in 28 animals (25 dogs and three cats) for a total of 95 biopsies. All the biopsy samples were considered satisfactory from canine cadavers, and all specimens were diagnostic in clinical cases. The technique was accurate and safe and no major complications were noted.