Transpapillary biopsy in gallbladder disease.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Transpapillary gallbladder biopsy is a clinically useful technique because it facilitates histopathologic diagnosis and therefore guides the choice of therapy.
Watanabe
Y
Y
Second Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Nagoya University School of Medicine, and Department of Gastroenterology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan.
Goto
H
H
Hirooka
Y
Y
Itoh
A
A
Taki
T
T
Hayakawa
S
S
Hayakawa
T
T
Naitoh
Y
Y
Ohhashi
K
K
Yamao
K
K
Furukawa
T
T
D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology*; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D013048:Specimen Handling