Original article / research
Year : 2026 Month : January Volume : 15 Issue : 1 Page : PO01 - PO06 Full Version

Histopathological Spectrum of Endoscopic Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Biopsies: A Cross-sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Yoganand Vishwasrao Patil, Mrunal Vijay Kesari, V Kalaivanan, Indranil Bhattacharya
1. Head, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jagjivan Ram Hospital- Western Railway, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 2. Consultant Pathologist, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jagjivan Ram Hospital- Western Railway, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 3. 3rd Year Resident, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jagjivan Ram Hospital- Western Railway, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. 4. Consultant Pathologist, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Jagjivan Ram Hospital- Western Railway, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
 
Correspondence Address :
Dr. V Kalaivanan,
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine- 1st Floor, Jagjivan Ram
Railway Hospital, Behind Maratha Mandir Marg, Mumbai Central, Mumbai-
400008, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: kvanan07@gmail.com
 
ABSTRACT
: Introduction: The Lower Gastrointestinal Tract (LGIT) is susceptible to a broad spectrum of disorders, ranging from non neoplastic conditions to premalignant and malignant lesions. Endoscopic biopsy, coupled with histopathological examination, remains a cornerstone in the diagnosis and management of these conditions.

Aim: To study the histopathological spectrum of LGIT biopsies.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted for 18 months in the Department of Pathology at Jagjivan Ram Hospital, Western Railways, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. A total of 250 LGIT biopsies received between October 2022 and April 2024 were included in the study. Biopsies were processed and examined using standard histopathological protocols. Special stains, including Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Ziehl-Neelsen Acid-Fast Bacilli (AFB), Masson’s trichrome, Alcian blue, and Congo red, were performed wherever indicated. Clinical data including age, sex, presenting symptoms, and biopsy site were analysed for their association with histopathological findings. These findings included assessment of mucosal architecture, crypt distortion, lamina propria cellularity, inflammatory infiltrate patterns, ulceration, granuloma formation, dysplasia, and tumour grade. Categorical variables were expressed as numbers and percentages, while quantitative variables were expressed as mean±standard deviation or median with interquartile range. Quantitative variables were compared using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), whereas qualitative variables were analysed using the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test when expected cell counts were less than five. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Patients ranged in age from 1 to 86 years, with a mean age of 46.3 years. The study population showed a slight male predominance, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.17:1. The most common clinical presentations were chronic diarrhoea in 101 (40.4%) cases and bleeding per rectum in 95 (38%) cases. The colon was the most frequent biopsy site, accounting for 100 (40%) cases, followed by the rectum in 60 (24%) cases. Histopathological evaluation revealed non neoplastic lesions in 208 (83.2%) cases, with non specific inflammation being the most common finding in 128 (51.2%) cases. Premalignant lesions were identified in 19 (7.6%) cases, predominantly tubular adenomas, while malignant lesions were seen in 23 (9.2%) cases, mainly adenocarcinomas. Neoplastic lesions showed a significant association with higher age (mean age 64.7 years) and bleeding per rectum (p-value<0.0001).

Conclusion: LGIT biopsies demonstrate a wide histopathological spectrum, with non neoplastic lesions being the most common, followed by premalignant and malignant conditions. Clinical features, particularly bleeding per rectum and anaemia, showed a significant association with neoplastic lesions. Histopathological evaluation remains indispensable for accurate diagnosis, guiding therapy, and improving patient care.
Keywords : Colonoscopy, Colorectal mucosal lesions, Diagnostic yield, Inflammatory bowel pathology, Neoplastic lesions, Non neoplastic lesions
DOI and Others : DOI: 10.7860/NJLM/2026/84763.2955 Date of Submission: Oct 06, 2025 Date of Peer Review: Nov 24, 2025 Date of Acceptance: Dec 18, 2025 Date of Publishing: Jan 01, 2026 AUTHOR DECLARATION: • Financial or Other Competing Interests: None • Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? Yes • Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? Yes • For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. Yes PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS: • Plagiarism X-checker: Oct 08, 2025 • Manual Googling: Dec 10, 2025 • iThenticate Software: Dec 16, 2025 (8%) ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin EMENDATIONS: 6
 
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