Transpapillary biopsy in gallbladder disease
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Published on: November 27, 2016
Y Watanabe1, H Goto, Y Hirooka
1Second Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine, and Department of Gastroenterology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
Background:
Endoscopic biopsy is routine in gastrointestinal disease; similarly, histopathologic diagnosis is desirable in gallbladder disease. In this study we examined the clinical usefulness and the problems associated with transpapillary gallbladder biopsy.
Methods:
Transpapillary gallbladder biopsy was attempted in 9 patients with gallbladder disease. After inserting a catheter sheath into the gallbladder using a guidewire via the transpapillary route without sphincterotomy, we inserted a biopsy forceps into the lumen of the sheath up to the gallbladder lumen and obtained specimens.
Results:
We could obtain sufficient specimens for histopathologic diagnosis in 8 of 9 cases (88.9%). Of the 8 successful cases, targeted specimens were obtained in 7 (87.5%). Diagnostic accuracy with respect to malignant versus benign disease was 100% (2 of 2) and 83.3% (5 of 6), respectively. There were no complications.
Conclusion:
Transpapillary gallbladder biopsy is a clinically useful technique because it facilitates histopathologic diagnosis and therefore guides the choice of therapy.
