Small bowel biopsy

Alternative names:

biopsy - small bowel

What the risks are:

Complications are rare but may include:

• bowel perforation
• excessive bleeding from the biopsy site
• infection of the biopsy site leading to bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream)
• vomiting and subsequent aspiration into the lungs

Special considerations:

Contraindications (factors that prohibit use of this test) may include uncooperative or confused patients, people taking aspirin or anticoagulants (greatly increases risk of bleeding), and people with untreated coagulation (blood clotting) disorders.

The greatest risk is bleeding. Signs include abdominal pain, blood in the stools, or vomiting blood.