Guidewire technique for endoscopic transpapillary procurement of bile duct biopsy specimens without endoscopic sphincterotomy.
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic sphincterotomy may be required when endoscopic transpapillary bile duct biopsy specimens are needed for tissue diagnosis. However, endoscopic sphincterotomy has potential complications. A guidewire technique for obtaining transpapillary biopsy specimens without endoscopic sphincterotomy was evaluated.


METHODS
A total of 13 patients (11 men, 2 women; mean age 67.5 years) with biliary stricture or obstruction underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. A guidewire was then inserted across the stricture or obstruction and into an intrahepatic duct. Alongside the guidewire, the biopsy forceps (1.5 mm diameter) was introduced into the papillary orifice with the duodenoscope extremely close to the papilla.


METHODS
Tissue was obtained in 92.3% of the cases for histopathologic evaluation without difficulty or complication. The single failure occurred in a patient who had undergone a partial gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis.


CONCLUSIONS
The guidewire technique for endoscopic transpapillary procurement of biopsy specimens of the bile duct obviates the need for endoscopic sphincterotomy.
Lin
Lien-Fu
LF
Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tung's Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic Of China.
Siauw
Chuan-Pau
CP
Ho
Ka-Sic
KS
Tung
Jai-Nien
JN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014670:Ampulla of Vater; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000473:pathology; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged