Biliary brush cytology: factors associated with positive yields on biliary brush cytology.

Aim: To evaluate the yield of brushing biliary strictures and the factors associated with a positive result in biliary strictures.

Methods: Data on all consecutive patients (01/02-10/05) who were identified to have a biliary stricture and who underwent biliary brush cytology were collected. The yield of positive biliary brush cytology was evaluated and compared to results with the gold standard for diagnosis (defined as either definitive surgical histology or clinical course).