Spyglass single-operator peroral cholangioscopy seems promising in the evaluation of primary sclerosing cholangitis-related biliary strictures.

UNLABELLED: Early diagnosis of dysplastic changes and exclusion of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) remain a major clinical challenge. Although SpyGlass single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC) appears effective in diagnostics of indeterminate biliary strictures, there are only few studies on its safety in PSC-related strictures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical feasibility of SOC and directed biopsies, flow cytometry, and brush cytology in PSC patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven consecutive patients (median age 45 years, 5 females) undergoing SOC for progression of PSC in a single tertiary center were included in a prospective observational study.

RESULTS: Brush sample and directed biopsies were successfully acquired from strictures in all cases. Samples were adequate for cytological and histological diagnosis in 9 (82%) and 10 patients (91%), respectively. There were two cases of pancreatitis. In one patient, flow cytometry showed aneuploidy, which resulted in closer follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: SpyGlass SOC and directed biopsies seem to offer a feasible and promising method in evaluation of PSC-related strictures. However, the long-term prognostic value it adds to cytology and flow cytometry remains to be assessed in future trials.