Reclassification of "atypical" diagnoses in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography-guided biliary brushings.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of reclassifying "atypical" diagnoses in reporting biliary cytology using strict morphologic criteria.

Study Design: Cytologic specimens from 139 patients (direct, alcohol-fixed smears or cytocentrifuge preparations) were evaluated. Diagnoses were benign (70), atypical (36) and malignant (33).