Gastrointestinal and bile duct brushing cytology

Abstract

In the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the most commonly used techniques to obtain samples are endoscopic mucosal brushing, the fine needle aspiration (FAN), and forceps biopsy, however, the forceps biopsy is often considered as a surgical biopsy specimen. This chapter is focused on the discussion and review of cytomorphology of brushing and FNA specimens of benign and malignant diseases in upper and lower GI tract, and biliary duct. The GI cytology has also been used in the monitoring disease progression, such as in patients of Barrett’s esophagus and ulcerative colitis, since the technique of mucosal brushing may sample wider area than that of the biopsy. The differential diagnosis of a GI lesion is broad, including both benign and malignant diseases. The limitation of the GI cytology are also discussed in the differential diagnosis.