Statement The collection of intestinal tissue biopsy specimens is the current gold standard for the diagnosis of and differentiation between LPE vs LGITL in cats. No clearly demonstrated superiority in quality exists for biopsy specimens obtained by laparotomy (full thickness) vs endoscopic biopsy specimens, because poor technique can affect sample quality and hamper diagnostic evaluation for both methods. It has been shown that all inflammatory and neoplastic lesions are present in the lamina propria and hence, if mucosal samples of sufficient quality are procured endoscopically, a diagnosis is possible without obtaining full‐thickness biopsy specimens. However, because of limited access to the jejunum by endoscopy, jejunal lesions cannot be reliably sampled although this small intestinal segment is frequently abnormal.

Evidence level

II

Panel recommendation

4 out of 6 members strongly agreed, 2 members agreed