This research is designed to study the diagnostic yield of brush cytology for biliary
strictures. Brush cytology technique is of a great value to provide cytological samples
during ERCP for patients with biliary strictures .
The study included 34
patients with biliary stricture, ERCP was performed to all
patients and cellular samples were taken using a brush for cytology . During the study
period (one year) , the final diagnosis was made using a systematic approach based on
clinical, radiological, laboratory or histopathological diagnosis . Sensitivity and specificity
of brush cytology were studied .
The sensitivity of biliary brushing was 57.1% , specificity was 100%, positive
predictive value was 100% , negative predictive value was 76.9% and accuracy was 82% .
Conclusions: Brush cytology has a very high specificity but an intermediate
sensitivity for the diagnosis of malignant biliary strictures . Despite that , brush cytology
is of a high diagnostic utility to distinguish between malignant and benign causes of biliary
strictures .
