Biliary Brush Cytology Research Articles

Detecting Cholangiocarcinoma in the Setting of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Is Biliary Tract Fluorescence InSitu Hybridization Helpful?

Biliary brushing cytology (BB) to detect cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is integral in the surveillance of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Since reactive changes can mimic carcinoma, indeterminant results are frequent. Fluorescence insitu hybridization (FISH) using the UroVysion probe set has been advocated to enhance the detection of CCA. This study evaluates the performance of FISH for detecting CCA in patients with and without PSC. A query of our pathology database for atypical and suspicious BB with concurrent FISH results was performed from 2014 to 2021. FISH (using UroVysion probe set containing centromere enumeration probes to chromosomes 3, 7, and 17) was positive if at least 5 cells demonstrated polysomy. Electronic medical records were reviewed to identify patients with PSC and CCA. CCA was confirmed by pathology or clinical impression. Of the 65 patients (103 BB) in the PSC cohort, 59 patients (94 BB) without CCA and 6 patients (9 BB) with CCA were identified. 33 non-PSC patients (41 BB) with CCA were included for comparison. Positive FISH was highest in non-PSC patients with CCA (10/41 BB, 24%). Positive FISH was seen in both PSC with (1/9 BB, 11%) and without (2/94 BB, 2%) CCA. FISH positivity was lower than expected and was positive in PSC patients without CCA. These results question the clinical utility of FISH for CCA surveillance in PSC patients.

Implementing Massive Parallel Sequencing into Biliary Samples Obtained through Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Diagnosing Malignant Bile Duct Strictures.

Despite advancements in radiologic, laboratory, and pathological evaluations, differentiating between benign and malignant bile duct strictures remains a diagnostic challenge. Recent developments in massive parallel sequencing (MPS) have introduced new opportunities for early cancer detection and management, but these techniques have not yet been rigorously applied to biliary samples. We prospectively evaluated the Oncomine Comprehensive Assay (OCA) and the Oncomine Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay (OPCCFA) using biliary brush cytology and bile fluid obtained via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography from patients with bile duct strictures. The diagnostic performance of MPS testing was assessed and compared to the pathological findings of biliary brush cytology and primary tissue. Mutations in TP53, BRAF, CTNNB1, SMAD4, and K-/N-RAS identified in biliary brush cytology samples were also detected in the corresponding bile fluid samples from patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. These mutations were also identified in the bile fluid samples, but with variant allele frequencies lower than those in the corresponding biliary brush cytology samples. In control patients diagnosed with gallstones, neither the biliary brush cytology samples nor the bile fluid samples showed any pathogenic mutations classified as tier 1 or 2. Our study represents a prospective investigation into the role of MPS-based molecular testing in evaluating bile duct strictures. MPS-based molecular testing shows promise in identifying actionable genomic alterations, potentially enabling the stratification of patients for targeted chemotherapeutic treatments. Future research should focus on integrating OCA and OPCCFA testing, as well as similar MPS-based assays, into existing surveillance and management protocols for patients with bile duct strictures.

NGS of brush cytology samples improves the detection of high-grade dysplasia and cholangiocarcinoma in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: A retrospective and prospective study.

Biliary dysplasia, a precursor of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), is a common complication of primary sclerosing cholangitis. Patients with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) or early CCA who have received oncological treatment are candidates for liver transplantation. The preoperative diagnosis of CCA or HGD is challenging, and the sensitivity of biliary brush cytology (BC) is limited. By using next-generation sequencing (NGS), we retrospectively analyzed archived tissue samples (n=62) obtained from explanted liver tissue and CCA samples to identify oncogenic mutations that occur during primary sclerosing cholangitis carcinogenesis. BC samples were prospectively collected from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (n=97) referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography to measure the diagnostic utility of NGS combined with BC compared with traditional cytology alone. Mutations in KRAS, GNAS, FLT3, RNF43, TP53, ATRX, and SMAD4 were detected in archived CCA or HGD samples. KRAS, GNAS, TP53, CDKN2A, FBXW7, BRAF, and ATM mutations were detected in prospectively collected brush samples from patients with histologically verified CCA or HGD. One patient with low-grade dysplasia in the explanted liver had KRAS and GNAS mutations in brush sample. No mutations were observed in brush samples or archived tissues in liver transplantation cases without biliary neoplasia. While KRAS mutations are common in biliary neoplasms, they were also observed in patients without biliary neoplasia during surveillance. In summary, NGS of BC samples increased the sensitivity of detecting biliary neoplasia compared with traditional cytology. Performing NGS on BC samples may help diagnose HGD or early CCA, benefiting the timing of liver transplantation.

Sequential comparison of two intraductal biliary brush cytology devices for suspected malignant biliary strictures

BackgroundThe diagnostic performance of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography brush cytology for malignant strictures is modest. A novel larger more abrasive brush may have improved diagnostic performance. We compared the utility of...

Biliary brush cytology by ERCP for malignancy diagnosis, tertiary center experience from 2016-2022

Biliary brush cytology by ERCP for malignancy diagnosis, tertiary center experience from 2016-2022

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma arising from the pancreatic parenchyma compressed by a huge pancreatic lipoma: a case report

BackgroundPancreatic lipomas (PLs) arising from the adipose tissue in the pancreatic parenchyma are rare among pancreatic tumors. Coexisting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and PLs have not been previously reported. Herein, we report a case of PDAC arising from the pancreatic parenchyma with chronic pancreatitis compressed by a large PL.Case presentationThe patient was a 69-year-old male. He had been diagnosed with a PL using computed tomography (CT) 12 years previously. The tumor had been slowly growing and was followed up carefully because of the possibility of well-differentiated liposarcoma. During follow-up, laboratory data revealed liver damage and slightly elevated levels of inflammatory markers. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed the previously diagnosed 12 cm pancreatic head tumor and an irregular isodensity mass at the upper margin of the tumor that invaded and obstructed the distal common bile duct. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated no specific findings in the main pancreatic duct. Based on these imaging findings, the patient underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and bile duct brushing cytology, which revealed indeterminate findings. The differential diagnosis of the tumor at that time was as follows: (1) pancreatic liposarcoma (focal change from well-differentiated to dedifferentiated, not lipoma), (2) distal cholangiocarcinoma, and (3) pancreatic cancer. After the cholangitis improved, a pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histologically, hematoxylin–eosin staining revealed moderately differentiated PDAC compressed by proliferating adipose tissue. The adipose lesion showed homogeneous adipose tissue with no evidence of sarcoma, which led to a diagnosis of lipoma. Additionally, extensive fibrosis of the pancreatic parenchyma and atrophy of the acinar cells around the lipoma was suggestive of chronic pancreatitis. The pathological diagnosis was PDAC (pT2N0M0 pStage Ib) with chronic pancreatitis and PL. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on the 15th day after surgery. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy and has remained recurrence-free for more than 6 months.ConclusionsPL may be associated with the development of PDAC in the surrounding inflammatory microenvironment of chronic pancreatitis. In cases of growing lipomas, careful radiologic surveillance may be needed not only for the possibility of liposarcoma but also for the coincidental occurrence of PDAC.

Effectiveness for Diagnosis of Malignancy of Bile Pyruvate Kinase M2 in Patients with Indeterminate Biliary Stricture.

Up to 70% of the cases of biliary strictures are cholangiocarcinoma. Cholangiocarcinoma has a late diagnosis and poor outcomes; therefore, effective biomarkers are needed for malignant lesions detection at earlier stages. The aim was to assess the diagnostic utility of bile pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) as a biomarker for the detection of malignant biliary strictures in patients with an indeterminate biliary stricture. This is a prospective study to evaluate the diagnostic value of bile PKM2 for the diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures. Bile samples were collected during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio Pancreatography to quantify PKM2 levels and were used to compare their diagnostic value with biliary brush cytology, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy, or clinical follow-up. Forty-six patients were recruited for the study; 19 patients with malignant strictures and 27 with benign biliary strictures. The bile PKM2 levels were elevated in patients with malignant biliary strictures [median 0.045ng/mL (IQR 0.014 to 0.092)] compared with those with benign strictures [median 0.019ng/mL (IQR 0.00 to 0.047)]. Bile PKM2 had a receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.66 (0.49 to 0.83) with a cutoff value of bile PKM2 of 0.0017ng/mL. The sensitivity and specificity of bile PKM2 for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma were 89% and 26%; the positive and negative predictive values were 46% and 78%, respectively. In patients with indeterminate biliary strictures, bile PKM2 may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of malignancy.

Comparison of two intraductal brush cytology devices for suspected malignant biliary strictures: randomized controlled trial

BackgroundEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary brush cytology is commonly used to diagnose malignant pancreatobiliary strictures. This trial compared the sensitivity of two intraductal brush cytology devices.MethodsA randomized controlled trial in which consecutive patients with suspected malignant, extrahepatic biliary strictures were randomized (1:1) to a dense or conventional brush cytology device. Primary endpoint was sensitivity. Interim analysis was conducted after 50% of the patients completed follow-up. Results were interpreted by a data safety monitoring board.ResultsBetween June 2016 and June 2021, 64 patients were randomized to the dense (27 patients, 42%) or conventional brush (37 patients, 58%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 60 patients (94%) and benign disease in 4 patients (6%). Diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology in 34 patients (53%), cytopathology in 24 patients (38%), and clinical or radiological follow up in 6 patients (9%). Sensitivity of the dense brush was 50%, compared to 44% for the conventional brush (p = 0·785).DiscussionThe results of this randomized controlled trial showed that the sensitivity of a dense brush is not superior to a conventional brush for diagnosing malignant extrahepatic pancreatobiliary strictures. This trial was prematurely ended for reasons of futility.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register number; NTR5458.

Evaluation of “Crowd Wisdom” in Biliary Brush Cytology

Evaluation of “Crowd Wisdom” in Biliary Brush Cytology

Next-generation sequencing mutation analysis on biliary brush cytology for differentiation of benign and malignant strictures in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Differentiation of benign and malignant biliary tract strictures on brush material remains highly challenging but is essential for adequate clinical management of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). In this case-control study, biliary brush cytology samples from PSC patients with cholangiocarcinoma (PSC-CCA) were compared with samples from PSC patients without CCA (PSC-control subjects) using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Cells on archived slides were dissected for DNA extraction. NGS was performed using a gene panel containing 242 hotspots in 14 genes. Repeated brush samples from the same patient were analyzed to study the consistency of NGS results. In PSC-CCA cases that underwent surgical resection, molecular aberrations in brush samples were compared with NGS data from subsequent resection specimens. Forty patients (20 PSC-CCA and 20 PSC-control subjects) were included. The gene panel detected 22 mutations in 15 of 20 PSC-CCA brush samples, including mutations in TP53 (8 brush samples), K-ras (5), G-nas (3), ERBB2 (1), APC (1), PIK3CA (1), and SMAD4 (1). One G-nas and 3 K-ras mutations were found in 3 of 20 PSC-control brush samples. The sensitivity of the NGS panel was 75% (95% confidence interval, 62%-80%) and specificity 85% (95% confidence interval, 64%-95%). Repeated brush samples showed identical mutations in 6 of 9 cases. Three repeated brush samples demonstrated additional mutations as compared with the first brush sample. In 6 of 7 patients, mutations in brush samples were identical to mutations in subsequent resection specimens. NGS mutation analysis of PSC brush cytology detects oncogenic mutations with high sensitivity and specificity and seems to constitute a valuable adjunct to cytologic assessment of brush samples.

Evaluating the Significance of Pancreatobiliary Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Polysomy on Prognosis in De Novo Cholangiocarcinoma.

We recently developed a fluorescence in situ hybridization probe set for evaluating suspicious biliary and pancreatic duct strictures (PB-FISH). We aimed to determine whether PB-FISH results in biliary brush cytology specimens are associated with outcomes of patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We performed a retrospective study of patients with CCA tested by PB-FISH from January 2015 to August 2018. CCA was stratified by primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) into those with (PSC CCA) or without PSC ( de novo CCA). PB-FISH results were categorized as polysomy (gain of multiple loci), nonpolysomy (single locus gain, single locus gain with 9p21 loss, homozygous 9p21 loss, tetrasomy), and disomy (no abnormalities). Overall survival (OS) was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods and compared between the PB-FISH results using log-rank tests. Cox models were adjusted for age, sex, CA 19-9, cytology results, source of brushing sample, and treatments. Characteristics of 264 eligible patients (median age 60.4; range 18-92) were comparable for patients with PB-FISH polysomy vs nonpolysomy vs disomy. The median OS was similar between disomy, nonpolysomy, and polysomy in the overall population (22.7 vs 22.7 vs 20.3 months, respectively). For de novo CCA, both polysomy and nonpolysomy were associated with worse OS compared with disomy (polysomy: hazard ratio [HR] = 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.14-3.83; nonpolysomy: HR = 2.4, 95% CI = 0.54-2.46; P = 0.027). For PSC CCA, neither polysomy nor nonpolysomy were significantly associated with worse OS (polysomy: 0.90, 95% CI = 0.47-1.75; nonpolysomy: HR = 1.78, CI = 0.71-4.49; P = 0.27). PB-FISH alterations are associated with worse survival in de novo CCA, though statistical significance was lost when adjusting for confounding variables.

Cytology of Bile Duct Brushings: Streaming Ahead with Time

Endoscopic retrograde brush cytology of the biliary duct is an established tool for evaluation of obstructive biliary strictures or screening of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients for dysplasia. It is a simple, minimally invasive procedure that can be performed during a therapeutic ERCP. Most authors have reported a sensitivity of 30-60% and a specificity of 90-100%. A positive result can be a reliable indicator of malignant neoplasm. However, there is no standardized reporting terminology designed specifically for bile duct brushings. Majority of bile duct brushings yield either benign ductal epithelium, reactive atypia of ductal epithelium or suspicious/positive for malignancy. Diagnosing malignancy in bile duct brushings is based on a constellation of cytologic features, and consideration of the overall picture- clinical presentation, radiology/endoscopy findings, etc. Different studies have highlighted various key features for diagnosing malignancy in bile duct brushings. Features most consistently associated with a malignant category are- loss of honeycomb architecture, 3D clusters, high n:c ratio, anisonucleosis (≥1:4 variation), irregular nuclear outlines, coarse clumped chromatin, and single malignant cells in the background. The utility of biliary brush cytology has been expanded by using FISH, immunocytochemistry, and Next-generation sequencing.

Diagnostic Accuracy and Cytomorphological Analysis of Biliary Brush and Endoscopic Ultrasound Guided Fine Needle Aspiration (EUS-FNA) of the pancreas based on The Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology System

BackgroundEndoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of the pancreas and biliary brushes is a minimally invasive method ofcytology sampling. The purpose of this study was to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of examination of biliary brushcytology and EUS-FNA pancreas based on the System of standardized terminology and nomenclature for pancreatobilliary cytology(STNPC) as well as cytology characteristics of pancreatic malignancy.MethodsA search of the biliary brush preparation and EUS-FNA pancreatic in 2017-2020 was carried out in the Archives section of the Department ofAnatomical Pathology FKUI / RSCM. 506 cases of biliary brush cytology and EUS-FNA pancreatic, conducted a search of histopathologicalpreparations and re-categorized based on STNPC.ResultsCytological cases of biliary brushing and pancreatic EUS-FNA paired with histopathology in 2017-2020 151 cases, 85 cases of biliarybrushing and 66 cases of pancreatic EUS-FNA, were re-categorized based on STNPC with results of biliary brushing 27 non-diagnosticcases, 24 atypical cases, 7 suspicious for malignancy (SFM) cases and 17 malignant cases. Meanwhile, for pancreatic EUS-FNA cytology16 non-diagnostic cases, 2 negative cases, 16 atypical cases, 3 other neoplasms, 4 SFM cases and 25 malignant cases. Twenty sevencases of false negative biliary brushes on non-diagnostic and atypical preparations and 4 cases of false negative on pancreatic EUS-FNA onnon-diagnostic and atypical preparations. Biliary brushing diagnostic test results: sensitivity 82.35%, specificity 100%, positive predictivevalue (PPV) 100%, negative predictive value (NPV) 84.21% and accuracy 90.9%. In pancreatic EUS-FNA: sensitivity 84.21%, specificity100%, PPV 100%, NPV 986.67% and accuracy 92.86%.ConclusionCytological diagnosis of biliary brushing and pancreatic EUS-FNA has good specificity, sensitivity and accuracy, but definitive diagnosisrequires histopathological examination

Significance of KRAS mutation testing in biliary brushing cytology specimens: A 10‐year retrospective review

BACKGROUNDBiliary strictures can be caused by benign and malignant conditions. A biliary duct brushing diagnosis can be challenging because of low cellularity and overlapping morphology among different entities, leading to a variable reported sensitivity. This study aimed to assess the value of KRAS mutation testing in adding cytological diagnosis of biliary duct brushings.METHODSWith institutional review board approval, biliary duct brushing cytology specimens were collected from 269 patients with extrahepatic biliary stenosis between August 2011 and July 2021. The results of cytology and KRAS mutational analyses were evaluated in view of corresponding cytology examination and histopathological/clinical follow‐up.RESULTSKRAS mutations were identified in 50 of 269 biliary stricture brushing cases (19%). Among the cases with available follow‐up, 72% (34 of 47) of biliary brushings had confirmed malignancy when there were KRAS mutations. The overall specificity and sensitivity of KRAS mutation testing was 92% and 36%, respectively. KRAS mutation was significantly more enriched in pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma than in cholangiocarcinoma (66% vs 5%, P < .001). The absolute risk of malignancy was 3%, 28%, and 71%, respectively, in negative, atypical, and suspicious cytological diagnostic categories and the risks increased to 14%, 68%, and 95% in corresponding categories with KRAS mutation.CONCLUSIONSOur results suggested that KRAS mutational analysis can be considered supplementary to cytology diagnosis of biliary duct brushing for patients with extrahepatic biliary stenosis in clinical practice.;

Significance of in vitro photodynamic cytodiagnosis with 5-aminolevulinic acid in biliary brush cytology for malignant biliary stricture

BackgroundFor the early diagnosis of malignant biliary stricture due to biliary-pancreatic carcinoma, conventional biliary brush cytology with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP; the conventional method) is not sensitive enough. MethodsTwo hundred nine patients with biliary stricture who were admitted between September 2015 and June 2020 were enrolled in this study. Biliary brush cytology was performed on all patients. Samples were diagnosed independently by an expert pathologist and medical doctor with conventional cytology and photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) with 5-aminolevulinic acid. ResultsThe definitive diagnoses were 49 benign and 160 malignant diseases. The conventional method had a sensitivity of 77.5% (124/160) and specificity of 100% (49/49). The PDD method had a sensitivity of 77.5% (124/160) and specificity of 67.3% (33/49). The conventional method identified 36 malignant diseases as false negatives, while the PDD method enabled successful diagnoses of malignant diseases in 19 of these 36 patients. When PDD was combined with the conventional method, the sensitivity significantly increased to 89.4% (143/160, P = 0.006), and for biliary tract diseases only, the sensitivity increased to 95.6% (88/92, P = 0.001). ConclusionsMalignant biliary stricture can be diagnosed effectively and safely with the in vitro PDD method. The sensitivity could be further increased by combining PDD with the conventional method.

Next-generation sequencing in the evaluation of biliary strictures in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a well-described risk factor for the development of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Early detection of CCA in these patients is of great importance because it expands options for therapeutic interventions, including liver transplantation. Current diagnostic tests for the evaluation of biliary strictures are limited to biliary brushing (BB) cytology and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become an important diagnostic tool in oncology and may be a useful tool for diagnosing CCA on BBs. It is not clear how NGS performs when it is added to BB cytology and FISH in patients with PSC. This study reports the authors' experience with NGS performed as a prospective cotest with cytology and FISH on BBs obtained from 60 patients with PSC followed at Massachusetts General Hospital. A duct with malignancy was defined as a high-risk (HR) stricture with either high-grade dysplasia or CCA. NGS was better than FISH and cytology in detecting HR strictures, which showed multiple genetic mutations in all cases. NGS provided specific mutational information, and NGS results were reproducible in longitudinal samples. Adding NGS to BB cytology and FISH in the evaluation of biliary strictures for patients with PSC may provide additional information that could help to inform clinical management.

Diagnostic power of DNA methylation markers suggestive of cholangiocarcinoma in ERCP-based brush cytology

Accurate differentiation between cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and benign biliary stricture is of paramount importance. Biliary brush cytology is a simple and safe diagnostic approach that provides relatively high specificity; however, sensitivity is limited. Previous reports indicated the aberrations of DNA methylation in CCA. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic performance of the methylation index (MI) of HOXA1 and NEUROG1 gene promoters in CCA. Patients with biliary stricture who underwent ERCP with brush cytology in Siriraj Hospital from September 2016 to December 2019 were prospectively enrolled. The MI of HOXA1 (MI_H) and MI of NEUROG1 (MI_N) were determined by quantitative methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The diagnostic power for CCA was tested for MI from both genes and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). Sixty-seven patients were included in the study; 41 patients had a final diagnosis of CCA, and 26 patients were determined to have a benign biliary stricture. The results showed that both MI_H and MI_N had higher sensitivity and accuracy (95.1% and 82.3% and 90.2% and 89.5%, respectively) than brush cytology (61.5% and 78.1%) and CA19-9 (69.4% and 77.8%). The combination of brush cytology, both methylation markers, and CA19-9 increased the sensitivity and accuracy to 97.4% and 91.0%. Methylation markers were positive in 5 of 6 patients with confirmed CCA whose cytology and CA19-9 were negative. DNA methylation increased the sensitivity for the diagnosis of CCA; therefore, the use of DNA methylation is promising for diagnosis of CCA in patients with biliary strictures. A future validation study is warranted to assess its role in clinical practice. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT04568512.).

Accuracy of brush cytology in biliopancreatic strictures: a single-center cohort study.

ObjectiveFalse positive and negative results are associated with biliary tract cell brushing cytology during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The causes are uncertain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of diagnoses made via cell brushing in our center, and to explore the factors influencing diagnosis.MethodsThe clinical data of patients who underwent cell brushing at our center from January 2016 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. These included age, gender, stricture location, thickness of the bile duct wall in the narrow segment, maximum diameter of the biliary duct above the stricture, number of cell brush smears, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen. Positive brush cytology results were compared with results of surgical histology or tumor biopsy as well as with the patient’s clinical course.ResultsOf the 48 patients who underwent cell brushing cytology, 27 (56.3%) had positive results. The sensitivity and specificity of biliary duct cell brushing was 79.4%, and 85.7%, respectively. None of the above-mentioned factors were associated with positive cytology brushing results.ConclusionsCell brushing cytology remains a reliable method for diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary malignancies.

S0071 Comparison of Biliary Brush Cytology and Forceps Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Malignant Biliary Strictures

S0071 Comparison of Biliary Brush Cytology and Forceps Biopsy in the Diagnosis of Malignant Biliary Strictures

Effect of single operator cholangioscopy on accuracy of bile duct cytology.

This is the first study to evaluate the accuracy of bile duct brushings since the introduction of single operator cholangioscopy SpyGlass DS system in 2015. The primary aim of our study was to compare the accuracy of cytology brushings against biopsies obtained at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and cholangioscopy. A retrospective search for bile duct brushing specimens was performed and the charts reviewed. The gold standard for definitive diagnosis of malignancy was surgical tissue or compelling clinical evidence of malignancy. Definite negative diagnosis relied on lack of clinical/imaging features of malignancy on follow-up. There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy of cytology specimens obtained at different procedures. Overall sensitivity for all methods was 59%, specificity 90% and accuracy of 82%. Notably, all four false-positive cases except for one were from patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis or primary biliary sclerosis. There was no significant difference in sensitivity or specificity between biopsies procured by the two methods. The combined biopsy sensitivity for all modalities was 44% with a specificity of 100%. There was 70% concordance between cytology and biopsy cases. The overall specificity and sensitivity of the combined cytology and biopsy result was 85% and 65.3%, respectively. Ranking of factors that predict clinical diagnosis shows cytology results to surpass other parameters including pancreatic mass, age and stenosis length. Similarly, the presence of two cell populations and three-dimensional clusters was not nearly as predictive of malignancy as single malignant cells. Biliary brush cytology specimens performed better than biopsies irrespective of whether they are procured during ERCP or cholangioscopy. The combination of cytology and biopsy had the best accuracy than either one alone.