ERCP or EUS for tissue diagnosis of biliary strictures? A prospective comparative study.

Background: The accuracy of ERCP-based brush cytology or forceps biopsy for tissue diagnosis is relatively low (usually not exceeding 70%). By contrast, reported accuracy rates for EUS-guided FNA of pancreatobiliary masses are over 80%. This prospective study compared these two modalities for the first time in the diagnosis of indeterminate biliary strictures and pancreatic tumors.

Cellular composition of stent-penetrating tissue.

Background: A surprisingly low number (< 20%) of relevant (> 75%) restenoses occur in exophytic lesions after treatment with uncovered metal stents. The goal of this study was to investigate whether radial stent forces can exert localized influence on tumor growth.

Patients And Methods: In 17 patients, intraluminal tumor tissue was histologically investigated before and 1 week after stent implantation.