Intraductal aspiration: a promising new tissue-sampling technique for the diagnosis of suspected malignant biliary strictures

Brushing is the most commonly used technique for biliary sampling at ERCP, despite its limited sensitivity. To evaluate intraductal aspiration (IDA) as a new combined endoscopic technique for cytodiagnosis, its cellular adequacy, diagnostic accuracy for cancer detection, feasibility, and safety. Prospective, observational study. Single tertiary referral center. IDA cellular adequacy, diagnostic accuracy for cancer detection, feasibility, and safety. From April 2009 to September 2010, 42 consecutive patients with suspected malignant biliary stricture underwent ERCP, with tissue sampling obtained with IDA. IDA included performance of standard brushing in all patients. After standard brushing,…