Cytologic diagnosis in the management of gallbladder carcinoma

Cytologic investigations of 16 proven cases of gallbladder carcinomas were analyzed in order to establish the usefulness of cytological methods, including exfoliative bile cytology, fine needle aspiration and endoscopic brushing, in the preoperative and intraoperative diagnosis and management of gallbladder carcinoma. Fine needle aspiration cytology had a sensitivity of 88% and exfoliative cytology of bile a sensitivity of 50%, but both brushings performed yielded false negatives. A preoperative diagnosis was made in 69% (9/13) of cases, and cytologic diagnosis was helpful in planning surgical management. We recommend its wider application in the preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma.