Comparison between Brush Cytology and Forceps Biopsy under Fluoroscopic Guidance for the Diagnosis of Proximal Cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND:

 Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common malignant liver cancer. Its early diagnosis plays an important role in the success of treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the use of cold forceps biopsy without cholangioscopy with brush cytology in the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma. 

METHODS: 

In this prospective study, we enrolled 19 patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed for all individuals. Sampling was performed from the narrowing site using the brush method. Then, a cold forceps biopsy was performed under fluoroscopy. RESULTS The mean age of the patients was 63.31 ± 11.12 years and most of them were men (63.16 %). The brush cytology and the cold forceps biopsy diagnosed 31.85% and 68.42% of the samples as cholangiocarcinoma, respectively. According to the McNemar test, there was a statistically significant difference between the diagnostic results of the brush cytology and cold forceps biopsy. So that more cholangiocarcinoma cases were diagnosed using forceps biopsy (p = 0.016). No complications such as perforation, bleeding, cholangitis, and leakage were reported during the cold forceps procedure. 

CONCLUSION:

 Cold forceps biopsy under fluoroscopy is better than cytology brush in the diagnosis of proximal cholangiocarcinoma. It is recommended to be used as a low-cost alternative in cases where cholangioscopy is not available.