Endoscopic scraping biopsy of malignant biliary strictures

Pronounced squamous cell contamination in biliary tract cytology: A diagnostic pitfall

Squamous cells are rarely found in biliary tract cytology specimens, and when present are typically scant in quantity. Over an 8-year time period, two cases at our institution reporting abundant squamous cells were identified. Both patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with bile duct brushings and removal of a migrated biliary stent. The migrated stents were retrieved using rat toothed forceps and required removal of the endoscope through the esophagus with the stent exposed to esophageal and oral mucosa outside of the endoscope. Cytologic examination of the accompanying biliary stent material accordingly revealed abundant benign squamous cells. However, bile duct brushings showed benign ductal epithelial cells without squamous cells. Prior and subsequent cytology and bile duct surgical pathology specimens did not show squamous metaplasia. Migrated biliary stents that require endoscopic withdrawal increase the risk of contaminating samples with squamous cells. Recognition of this unique scenario is important, as the differential diagnosis includes squamous metaplasia and squamous neoplasia.

Importance of Bile Composition for Diagnosis of Biliary Obstructions

Determination of the cause of a biliary obstruction is often inconclusive from serum analysis alone without further clinical tests. To this end, serum markers as well as the composition of bile of 74 patients with biliary obstructions were determined to improve the diagnoses. The samples were collected from the patients during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The concentration of eight bile salts, specifically sodium cholate, sodium glycocholate, sodium taurocholate, sodium glycodeoxycholate, sodium chenodeoxycholate, sodium glycochenodeoxycholate, sodium taurodeoxycholate, and sodium taurochenodeoxycholate as well as bile cholesterol were determined by HPLC-MS. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and bilirubin were measured before the ERCP. The aim was to determine a diagnostic factor and gain insights into the influence of serum bilirubin as well as bile salts on diseases. Ratios of conjugated/unconjugated, primary/secondary, and taurine/glycine conjugated bile salts were determined to facilitate the comparison to literature data. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were determined, and the cut-off values were calculated by determining the point closest to (0,1). It was found that serum bilirubin was a good indicator of the type of biliary obstruction; it was able to differentiate between benign obstructions such as choledocholithiasis (at the concentration of >11 µmol/L) and malignant changes such as pancreatic neoplasms or cholangiocarcinoma (at the concentration of >59 µmol/L). In addition, it was shown that conjugated/unconjugated bile salts confirm the presence of an obstruction. With lower levels of conjugated/unconjugated bile salts the possibility for inflammation and, thus, neoplasms increase.

Use of washing cytology from removed self-expandable metal stents for biliary strictures: a novel cytology method

Removability is one of the important features of biliary covered self-expandable metal stents (CSEMS). In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic ability of washing cytology of removed CSEMS. For 14 removed CSEMS that had been placed for the biliary strictures (12 malignant, 2 benign), the surface of CSEMS was washed with saline, and pathological examination of the washing liquid as cytology (CSEMS washing cytology) was performed. The specimen sampling rates and sensitivity for malignancy of CSEMS washing cytology were 92.9 % and 41.7 %, respectively. Sensitivity according to the primary disease was 60.0 % for bile duct cancer and 20 % for pancreatic cancer. Sensitivities based on the methods of stent removal were 16.7 % and 66.7 % for removal through the channel of the scope and with the scope, respectively. Therefore, it is possible that sensitivity of CSEMS washing cytology is higher in bile duct cancer and for removal with the scope. In conclusion, CSEMS washing cytology may have potential as a pathological diagnostic method.

Yield of biliary stent cytology: Is it time to think lean?

Background and study aims  During evaluation of pancreaticobiliary strictures, it is common practice to send biliary stents for cytologic analysis. However, in recent years, complementary tissue acquisition techniques ranging from cholangioscopy to fine-needle biopsy have improved the ability to acquire tissue and diagnose malignancy. Data are limited on the current diagnostic yield and cost effectiveness of biliary stent analysis. Patients and methods  We performed a retrospective study of all pancreaticobiliary stents sent for analysis in a tertiary care academic medical center from June 2013 to September 2016. Patient demographics, stent information, and final diagnosis history were collected through chart review. Costs were determined using published reimbursement rates for Medicare. Results  Two hundred thirty-one stents from 175 patients were sent for cytologic analysis during the study period. Of the 62 stents obtained from patients ultimately diagnosed with malignancy, only one (1.6 %) had positive cytology for malignant cells, while the others were acellular/non-diagnostic (2/62, 3.2 %), negative (48/62, 77.4 %), or atypical (11/62, 17.7 %). The sensitivity of stent cytology for diagnosis of malignancy was 1.6 % (1/62). No cases were identified in which stent cytology changed clinical management. From a payer perspective, the mean estimated cost for each stent cytologic analysis is greater than $ 70.00. Conclusions  While stent cytologic analysis is a common clinical practice, the diagnostic yield and cost effectiveness of the practice must be reevaluated. With the rise of newer diagnostic technologies such as digital cholangioscopy and endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle biopsy, it may be time to "think lean" and acknowledge a sunset for biliary stent cytology.

Triple-tissue sampling during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography increases the overall diagnostic sensitivity for cholangiocarcinoma

Background/Aims

There are several methods for obtaining tissue samples to diagnose malignant biliary strictures during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). However, each method has only limited sensitivity. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a combined triple-tissue sampling (TTS) method (on-site bile aspiration cytology, brush cytology, and forceps biopsy).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 168 patients with suspicious malignant biliary strictures who underwent double-tissue sampling (DTS; n=121) or TTS (n=47) via ERCP at our institution from 2004 to 2011.

Results

Among the 168 patients reviewed, 117 patients (69.6%) were eventually diagnosed with malignancies. The diagnostic sensitivity for cancer was significantly higher in the TTS group than the DTS group (85.0% vs 64.9%, respectively; p=0.022). Furthermore, the combination of brush cytology and forceps biopsy was superior to the other method combinations in the DTS group. With respect to cancer type (cholangiocarcinoma vs noncholangiocarcinoma), interestingly, the diagnostic sensitivity was higher for cholangiocarcinoma in the TTS group than the DTS group (100% vs 69.4%, respectively; p<0.001) but not for the non-cholangiocarcinoma patients (57.1% vs 57.1%, respectively).

Conclusions

TTS can provide an improved diagnostic accuracy in suspicious malignant biliary strictures, particularly for cholangiocarcinoma.

EUS-FNA for suspected malignant biliary strictures after negative endoscopic transpapillary brush cytology and forceps biopsy

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic transpapillary brush cytology and forceps biopsy are widely used for the pathological diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures (MBS). However, the sensitivity of these methods remains insufficient, and it can be difficult to confirm the diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic ability of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and the impact of this technique on clinical management in patients with suspected MBS where endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy yielded negative results.

METHODS

This study included 225 consecutive patients with suspected MBS, who underwent endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy at our institutions. Negative results were obtained for these pathological tests in 75 patients, and EUS-FNA was performed in 22 of these patients. We retrospectively compared the EUS-FNA results with the final diagnosis and examined the influence of the EUS-FNA diagnosis on treatment selection.

RESULTS

FNA specimens were successfully obtained in all patients, and the pathological results confirmed malignancy in 16 cases and predicted that the other 6 cases were benign. Of the 6 cases that were suspected to be benign, 3 patients were diagnosed with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis by surgical pathology, and the remaining 3 patients were diagnosed with benign diseases at a follow-up after 12-18 months. Thus, the EUS-FNA-based diagnosis was proven correct for all the patients. In addition, the treatment strategy was altered as a result of the EUS-FNA results in the above 6 patients (27%).

CONCLUSIONS

EUS-FNA is a sensitive and safe diagnostic modality for patients with suspected MBS and can be an additional option in cases where endoscopic brush cytology and biopsy have produced negative results.

Is it necessary to insert a nasobiliary drainage tube routinely after endoscopic clearance of the common bile duct in patients with choledocholithiasis-induced cholangitis? A prospective, randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Little is known about whether a routinely inserted endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube improves the clinical course in patients with choledocholithiasis-induced acute cholangitis after clearance of choledocholithiasis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the need for ENBD on the clinical outcomes of patients with acute cholangitis undergoing endoscopic clearance of common bile duct (CBD) stones.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized study.

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

A total of 104 patients with choledocholithiasis-induced acute cholangitis who underwent primary endoscopic treatment were compared according to insertion of an ENBD tube (51 in the ENBD group and 53 in the no-ENBD group).

INTERVENTION

Insertion of an ENBD tube after clearance of CBD stones.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Recurrence of cholangitis and length of hospital stay after clearance of CBD stones.

RESULTS

Baseline clinical characteristics were similar between both groups. There were no significant differences in the recurrence rate of cholangitis at 24 weeks (3.9% for the ENBD group vs 3.8% for the no-ENBD group at 24 weeks; P = .99) and length of hospital stay (7.9 days [standard error = 1.2] for the ENBD group vs 7.9 days [standard error = 0.7] for the no-ENBD group; P = .98). However, procedure time was longer (26.2 [SE = 1.8] minutes vs 22.7 [SE = 1.0] minutes, respectively; P = .01) and the discomfort score was higher (4.9 [SE = 0.4] vs 2.8 [SE = 0.3], respectively; P = .02) in the ENBD group than in the no-ENBD group.

LIMITATIONS

Single-center study.

CONCLUSIONS

A routinely inserted ENBD tube did not improve the clinical course, despite patients having to endure increased procedure time and discomfort, and the insertion would therefore be unnecessary.

Cholangiopancreatoscopy for targeted biopsies of the bile and pancreatic ducts

Establishing a tissue diagnosis in patients with suspected pancreaticobiliary malignancies remains challenging. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based sampling methods have been reviewed in a previous issue of this journal but, unfortunately, the diagnostic yield continues to be inadequate in a significant minority of patients. The availability and image quality of cholangioscopy and pancreatoscopy have advanced in the last few years and our ability to make a diagnosis on imaging alone is improving. However, a definitive diagnosis requires tissue; cholangiopancreatoscopy allows targeted biopsies of the epithelium of the biliary and pancreatic ducts. This article reviews the evidence that cholangioscopy- and pancreatoscopy-guided biopsies improves diagnostic yield over ERCP-based tissue sampling techniques.

Influence of stricture dilation and repeat brushing on the cancer detection rate of brush cytology in the evaluation of malignant biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND

The sensitivity for cancer detection of brush cytology at ERCP is relatively low. Manipulation of the stricture and repeated tissue sampling may increase the yield. This study compared the cancer detection rate of brush cytology before and after biliary stricture dilation.

METHODS

In patients with a biliary stricture at ERCP of suspected malignant origin, the stricture was sampled with a cytology brush and then dilated with either a graduated dilating catheter or a dilating balloon (4-8 mm). Brushing was then repeated in all patients. Specimens were interpreted as normal, atypical (benign), highly atypical (suspicious for cancer), and malignant. Final diagnoses were based on cytology plus surgery, EUS, percutaneous biopsy, autopsy, or clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

A total of 139 patients with suspected malignant obstructive jaundice underwent 143 ERCPs (116 ultimately found to have malignant obstruction, and 27 benign disease). Dilation was performed with a catheter in 68 cases, balloon in 73, and both in 2. Brush cytology had a sensitivity of 34.5% (40/116) before dilation and 31% (36/116) after dilation (p = NS). However, sensitivity with predilation and postdilation brushing specimens combined was 44% (51/116), which was higher than that for either the predilation or postdilation brush cytology (p = 0.001). Cancer detection rates were 34.7% (17/49) after dilation with the catheter and 27.7% (18/65) after balloon dilation (p = NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Stricture dilation does not improve the sensitivity of brush cytology for the detection of cancer, which remains relatively low. However, repeat brushing increases the diagnostic yield and should be performed when sampling biliary strictures with a cytology brush at ERCP.

Clinical utility of stent cytology for the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary neoplasms

OBJECTIVE

ERCP is frequently the technique of choice for the diagnosis and palliative treatment of pancreaticobiliary neoplasms. The sensitivity of tissue sampling techniques has been disappointing. Two small series have reported a high diagnostic yield from cytological examination of cellular debris from removed biliary stents. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical utility of stent cytology for the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic neoplasia.

METHODS

Patients who had biliary or pancreatic stents removed at ERCP and evaluated cytologically were the subjects of this study. Stents were scraped and washed, and the cellular debris was examined cytologically and recorded as positive, atypical, or negative. Patient demographics, ductal stricture, and stent characteristics were recorded.

RESULTS

Between January, 1994 and January, 2001 a total of 126 biliary stents from 101 patients (61 male, 40 female, mean age 62 yr) and 29 pancreatic stents from 19 patients (seven male, 12 female, mean age 58 yr) were examined. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of biliary and pancreatic stents for the diagnosis of neoplasia were: 11%, 100%, 100%, 53%, and 25%, 100%, 100%, 77.8%, respectively. The sensitivity improved slightly if all degrees of atypia were considered positive for neoplasia. The mean duration of stent placement was 93.6 days for biliary stents and 43.5 days for pancreatic stents.

CONCLUSIONS

Biliary and pancreatic stent cytology has limited clinical utility in the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary neoplasia, owing to poor sensitivity. In addition, the time lag between stent placement and removal for cytologic examination further limits its contribution to patient management.

Triple-tissue sampling at ERCP in malignant biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND

Procurement of cytologic samples by brushing is common practice at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) but has low sensitivity for cancer detection. Limited data are available on other techniques, including endoluminal fine-needle aspiration and forceps biopsy. This series reviews the yield of these three stricture sampling methods.

METHODS

In this prospective study, patients with biliary obstruction with a clinical suspicion of malignancy underwent triple-tissue sampling at one ERCP session. Final cancer diagnosis was based on all sampling methods plus surgery, autopsy, and clinical follow-up. Tissue specimens were reported as normal, atypia, or malignant.

RESULTS

A total of 133 patients were evaluated: 104 had cancer and 29 had benign strictures. Tissue sampling sensitivity varied according to the type of cancer; the highest yield was seen in ampullary cancers (62% to 85%). The cumulative sensitivity of triple-tissue sampling in the cancer patients was as follows: sensitivity was 52% if atypia was considered benign and 77% if it was considered malignant. The addition of a second or third technique increased sensitivity rates in most instances. No serious complications occurred from the tissue sampling methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Tissue sampling sensitivity varied according to the type of cancer. Combining a second or third method increased sensitivity; general use of at least two sampling methods is therefore recommended.

Endoscopic retrograde wire-guided cytology of malignant biliary strictures using a novel scraping brush

BACKGROUND

Tissue sampling to differentiate benign from malignant pancreatobiliary strictures remains problematic despite the availability of several new sampling methods. A new device is described which attempts to correct some of the drawbacks.

METHODS

The device consists of a 10F dilator which has an attached pad of Velcro. The Velcro has semi-rigid, mushroom-shaped bristles. A cytologic sample is obtained by the abrasive action of the brush when it is passed through the stricture. Fifteen patients with obstructive jaundice underwent brushing of the bile duct using this device.

RESULTS

Cytologic samples obtained with this device were positive for malignancy in all 15 patients. Diagnostic confirmation was obtained by assessment of clinical course, radiologic findings, and during surgery.

CONCLUSION

Preliminary experience indicates that this new device enhances the yield of tissue sampling from malignant bile duct strictures.

Diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice by bile cytology: results improved by dilating the bile duct strictures

The disruption of malignant biliary strictures by dilation could enhance the results of bile cytology. To test this hypothesis, we studied the results of bile cytology in 64 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant biliary strictures. Patients included 36 men and 28 women, ages 29 to 79 years. In the control group (n = 15), bile was obtained by aspiration without dilating the biliary stricture. In the dilated group (n = 49), bile was aspirated after dilating the biliary stricture to 10F gauge. The bile was centrifuged, and smears were prepared, stained, and interpreted as malignant, suggestive of malignancy, or not malignant. The biliary obstruction was caused by gallbladder cancer in 33, primary bile duct cancer in 14, pancreatic cancer in 11, and metastasis in 6 patients. Forty patients had obstruction at the bifurcation of the hepatic duct. Malignancy was confirmed by surgery in 14, fine-needle aspiration cytology in 9, presence of metastasis in 19, and a combination of clinical and radiologic studies, endoscopic cholangiopancreatography findings, elevated tumor markers, and follow-up in 22 patients. Bile cytology was positive for malignancy in 4 (26.6%) and 31 (63.3%), suggestive in 1 (6.7%) and 6 (12.2%), and negative in 10 (66.7%) and 12 (24.5%) patients in the control group and the dilated group, respectively (p = 0.028, 95% CI 1.15 and 21.03). Cytology was positive in 73% of gallbladder cancers, 62.5% of bile duct cancers, 40% of pancreatic cancers, and 60% of metastasized cancers after dilation. Two patients had hemobilia, 8 had cholangitis, and 2 had pancreatitis after biliary drainage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Endoscopic needle aspiration biopsy at ERCP in the diagnosis of biliary strictures

We have developed a ball-tipped catheter with a retractable 22-gauge, 7-mm long needle to perform endoscopic needle aspiration (ENA) for cytology and compared this technique to brush cytology of malignant-appearing biliary strictures during ERCP. Of 31 patients, 26 had proven malignant strictures involving the common bile duct and 5 had benign lesions. All 31 patients had ENA and 29 were brushed. Positive ENAs were obtained in 16 of 26 patients (61.5%) and positive brushings in 2 of 24 (8.3%). With the addition of two suspicious ENAs for pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 73% of patients had positive or suspicious cytology for malignancy by combined ENA and brush with a specificity of 100%. Although ENA appeared to be more sensitive in diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma, it proved to be most effective in the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma when compared with brush cytology. One patient with cholangiocarcinoma in our series was diagnosed by brush cytology only, with a negative ENA, supporting our recommendation of using both endoscopic brushings and ENA for cytology when evaluating biliary strictures.

Endoscopic retrograde brush cytology. A new technique

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has been shown to be a very valuable adjunct in the diagnosis of malignancy involving the biliary and/or pancreatic ductal system. However, characteristic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography radiographic findings associated with malignant strictures are frequently not specific and cytological confirmation becomes essential for the diagnosis. Unfortunately, the current overall diagnostic yield of positive cytology in such circumstances ranges from 18%-56% depending on the technique. A new brush device has been designed which is uniquely adapted to pancreaticobiliary strictures of varying anatomical configurations. This study shows results using this new cytology brush in a series of 53 patients with pancreaticobiliary malignancy. A significant improvement in the cytological yield of tumor confirmation was obtained with a diagnostic sensitivity of 70% and specificity of 100% using the new brush technique.