Percutaneous transhepatic transluminal forceps biopsy in obstructive jaundice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the technical feasibility and sensitivity of percutaneous transluminal forceps biopsy of bile duct diseases.


METHODS
Seventeen fluoroscopic-guided transluminal forceps biopsies were performed in 16 patients with obstructive jaundice. The technique was performed through an existing percutaneous transhepatic tract. Multiple specimens were obtained after passing the forceps biopsy into a long 9-French sheath and the specimens were fixed with formalin for histopathologic diagnosis.


RESULTS
Adequate samples for histological diagnosis was obtained in 12 of 17 procedures (sensitivity, 71%). Pathologic reports included pancreatic head carcinoma n = 2, cholangiocarcinoma n = 3, hepatoma with intrahepatic-bile duct invasion n = 3, common bile duct tumors n = 3 and chronic inflammation n = 1. Minor complications such as pain was noted in three patients while transient hemobilia was seen in two patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous transhepatic transluminal forceps biopsy is a safe technique which is easy to perform. This can be done through an existing transhepatic biliary tract with a sensitivity rate of 71%.
Tsai
C C
CC
Department of Radiology, Internal Medicine, Tainan Municipal Hospital, Taiwan.
Mo
L R
LR
Chou
C Y
CY
Han
S J
SJ
Lin
R C
RC
Kuo
J Y
JY
Chang
K K
KK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002758:Cholangiography; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity