Indeterminate bile duct cytology carries significant malignancy risks

A systematic review revealed that among 8,458 bile duct samples with indeterminate cytology, the overall risk of malignancy was 60.1%. Specifically, atypical cytology had a malignancy risk of 50.4%, while suspicious cytology exhibited a higher risk at 80.2%. Furthermore, suspicious cytology significantly correlated with a 1.59-fold increased risk of malignancy compared to atypical results. These findings underscore the importance of accurate preoperative risk assessment in patients with biliary strictures.