Prospective, blinded assessment of factors influencing the accuracy of biliary cytology interpretation.
OBJECTIVE
There is little published data assessing factors that influence the accuracy of biliary cytology. The aim of this study was to (a) prospectively compare interobserver variability among two blinded pathologists interpreting biliary cytology specimens, (b) to describe the predictors of interpathologist agreement, and (c) to characterize the predictors of accurate cytology interpretation.


METHODS
In total, 113 consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with brushing of suspicious biliary tract strictures were prospectively enrolled to assess routine cytology (RC) accuracy. The initial RC interpretation was performed by the pathologist on duty with the benefit of the patient's clinical information. Subsequent interpretation was performed by two independent pathologists blinded to the patients' clinical details.


RESULTS
Of the 113 patients, 67 had malignant strictures and 46 had benign strictures. The sensitivity of RC varied from 9% to 24% (p= 0.02), while the specificity varied from 61% to 100% (p < 0.001). Accuracy varied from 43% to 51% (p= n.s.). The rate of equivocal readings was lowest for the initial interpretation (1.7%), p < 0.0001 versus pathologist 1, p= 0.002 versus pathologist 2. Overall correlation of the blinded pathologists' interpretations was moderate, k= 0.66. Neither cytology accuracy nor interpathologist agreement improved with increasing specimen cellularity.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high rate of interpathologist variation for the biliary cytology interpretation. The knowledge of the patient's clinical information appears to clarify cytology interpretation resulting in fewer equivocal results. We did not detect any reliable predictors of cytology accuracy.
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Gavin C
GC
Harewood
Todd H
TH
Baron
Linda M
LM
Stadheim
Benjamin R
BR
Kipp
Thomas J
TJ
Sebo
Diva R
DR
Salomao
D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013048:Specimen Handling