Diagnosis of Biliary Strictures in Conjunction with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography, with Special Reference to Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

B. Lindberg; U. Arnelo; A. Bergquist; A. Thörne; A. Hjerpe; S. Granqvist; L.-O. Hansson; B. Tribukait; B. Persson; U. Broomé

doi:10.1055/s-2002-35298

Endoscopy 2002; 34(11): 909-916
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-35298

Original Article

Diagnosis of Biliary Strictures in Conjunction with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreaticography, with Special Reference to Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

B. Lindberg ¹ , U. Arnelo ² , A. Bergquist ³ , A. Thörne ² , A. Hjerpe ⁴ , S. Granqvist ⁵ , L.-O. Hansson ⁶ , B. Tribukait ⁷ , B. Persson ¹ , U. Broomé ³

¹Department of Radiology, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
²Department of Surgery, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
³Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
⁴Department of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
⁵Department of Radiology, Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
⁶Department of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
⁷Department of Medical Radiobiology, Karolinska Institutet at Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

Background and Study Aims: Strictures of the bile ducts due to malignant changes are difficult to distinguish from benign changes, particularly in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The aim of this study was to evaluate diagnostic methods for malignancy in biliary strictures in conjunction with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP).
Patients and Methods: Bile duct strictures were identified during ERCP in 57 patients, who were thus included in the present study. Brush samples from the strictures were taken for cytology and for evaluation of DNA content by flow cytometry. The tumor markers CA19-9 and CEA were determined both in serum and bile fluid. Two independent radiologists evaluated all cholangiograms. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each diagnostic method were evaluated separately and in combination.

Results: 32 patients were found to have malignant strictures and when the four methods: brush cytology, DNA analysis, serum CA19-9 and serum CEA were combined, a diagnostic sensitivity of 88 % and specificity of 80 % were reached. Seven of the 20 patients with PSC were found also to suffer from cholangiocarcinoma, yielding a sensitivity and specificity of 100 % and 85 %, respectively. Analyses of CA19-9 and CEA in bile fluid had no diagnostic significance.
Conclusion: An ERCP procedure with brush cytology, a DNA analysis, combined with serum analysis of CA19-9 and CEA, can increase the possibility of distinguishing between malignant and benign biliary strictures, especially in PSC patients.

Full Text

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B. Lindberg, M.D.

Department of Diagnostic Radiology · Karolinska Institutet at Huddinge University Hospital

14186 Stockholm · Sweden

Phone: + 46-8-58580837

Fax: + 46-8-7114840

Email: bo.lindberg@cfss.ki.se