Percutaneous transluminal forceps biopsy with an adjustable curved sheath for obstructive jaundice

To evaluate the feasibility and safety of percutaneous transluminal forceps biopsy (PTFB) with an adjustable curved sheath in patients with obstructive jaundice.

Forty-two patients who underwent PTFB with an adjustable curved sheath were analyzed retrospectively. Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV) and accuracy were calculated for all populations and in different situations. Technical success and safety were evaluated.

The technical success rate was 100%. Thirty-five of 42 cases were diagnosed malignant diseases, the sensitivity of PTFB with an adjustable curved sheath was 74.29% (26/35), the specificity was 100%, the positive predictive value was 100%, the negative predictive value was 43.75% (7/16), and the accuracy rate was 78.57% (33/42). There was a better sensitivity for bile duct malignancies when compared with non-bile duct malignancies (p = 0.012). No statistical difference was found in the sensitivity of the upper part of the biliary tree and the lower part of the biliary tree, and none in the sensitivity of different approaches (left vs. right). The complication rate was 11.90%, and no serious complications were observed.

PTFB with an adjustable curved sheath is an effective and safe technique, without being limited by approaches and obstruction sites.