Possibilities of per-oral transpapillary cholangioscopy in oncological practice

Abstract

Relevance. Diagnosis of malignant diseases causing bile duct strictures is a big challenge. At admission, patients with suspected biliary tract stricture, initially undergo endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as a diagnostic and treatment method. The morphological diagnosis of bile duct stricture based on ERCP with brush biopsy or intraductal forceps biopsy is limited by their low sensitivity. Consequently, a significant proportion of strictures remains undiagnosed, which led to the development of methods based on cholangioscopy.
 Aim. To determine the role of per-oral transpapillary cholangioscopy (TCS) in a specialized cancer clinic.
 Materials and methods. SpyGlass direct visualization system for per-oral intraductal examination from Boston Scientific was clinically tasted in Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology of the Ministry of Health of Russia. Using this electronic system, TCS was performed in 4 patients with various malignant diseases.
 Results. In all cases, TCS was successful. In all patients, the diagnosis was confirmed with a forceps intraductal biopsy using Spybite forceps.
 Conclusion. Single-use electronic direct visualization system for per-oral intraductal examination and interventions like SpyGlass can be recommended for use in specialized cancer centers.