Due to significant cuts in laboratory reimbursement rates, the Comprehensive Urology pathology lab was looking for ways to maintain the economic viability of their histology laboratory. They decided to test the Lumea BxChip®, which had obvious cost benefits but perhaps an unknown clinical impact.
Kirk Wojno, MD, Rima Tinawi-Aljundi, MD, Ann Mazurco, and Hayder Al Hamzawy have presented their findings regarding the performance of the BxChip at the American Urology Association Annual Meeting. The study compared traditional specimen handling with one prepared with the BxChip.
The BxChip is an engineered tissue-mimetic array that safely holds up to 6 core needle biopsies in a single cassette throughout tissue processing. It is designed to keep core needle biopsies straight.
Graphic demonstrating how the BxChip results in less linear variability in a block than a typical block
Results:
- Histologic tissue surface area (mm2) increased by an average of 14.5% on the glass slide
- Biopsy core length increased by an average of 31.8%.
- Most notably, the overall cancer detection rate increased by 9.3% (49.5% to 58.8%)!
These remarkable results largely reflect the benefit of the BxChip’s ability to maintain the tissue in a single plane allowing for more tissue available for review on the slide. Though not tested in this study, there is also a reasonable extrapolation of the data to suggest that more tissue will also be available for molecular analysis.
The researchers concluded their lab achieved superior prostate biopsy performance by utilizing the BxChip. As an added benefit, their lab enjoyed dramatic cost savings as well.
About Comprehensive Urology
Comprehensive Urology is Michigan’s leading large Urology group. They have more than 50 Urologists throughout Southeast Michigan in 30 offices.
Download the case study: Tissue Yield and Cancer Detection Increase Case Study
