Medical Encyclopedia

Medical Encyclopedia

Duodenum tissue smear

Duodenum tissue smear

A duodenal tissue smear is performed by inserting a special tube through the mouth down into the duodenum. When the tube is in place, it suctions out some of the fluid located in the duodenum. When the procedure is over the tube is removed. The sample is sent to the laboratory for testing. The test is performed to diagnose infection or parasitic infestation of the small bowel.

Update Date: 1/27/2008

Updated 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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