J Korean Soc Radiol.  2012 Jul;67(1):17-23.

Percutaneous Transluminal Biopsy Using 7-F Forceps for Diagnosing Malignant Biliary Obstruction

• Bahn YE
• Kim YH
• An EJ
• Kim SH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the usefulness of the percutaneous transluminal biopsy using 7-F forceps for diagnosing malignant biliary obstruction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
One hundred and seven consecutive patients with obstructive jaundice underwent transluminal forceps biopsy. The lesions involved the common bile duct (n = 33), common hepatic duct (n = 13), hilum (n = 17), right or left intrahepatic bile duct (n = 32), multiple sites (extra- and intrahepatic ducts, n = 7), or anastomotic sites (n = 5). In each patient, an average of three specimens was taken with 7-F biopsy forceps through a transhepatic biliary drainage tract. The final diagnosis was confirmed with pathologic findings, or a clinical and radiologic follow-up.
RESULTS
The final diagnoses showed malignancies in 75 patients and benign biliary obstructions in 32 patients. Pathologic classifications of malignancies established by forceps biopsy included 67 adenocarcinomas, 1 adenosquamous cell carcinoma, and 1 hepatocelluar carcinoma. There were 6 false-negative diagnoses. The diagnostic performance of transluminal forceps biopsy in malignant biliary obstruction had a sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 84.2%, and an accuracy of 94.2%.
CONCLUSION
Percutaneous transluminal forceps biopsy is a safe procedure that is easy to perform through a transhepatic biliary drainage tract. It is a highly accurate technique for diagnosing malignant biliary obstructions.

MeSH Terms

Adenocarcinoma
Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
Biopsy
Common Bile Duct
Drainage
Hepatic Duct, Common
Humans
Jaundice, Obstructive
Sensitivity and Specificity
Surgical Instruments

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