Combined endoscopic cytology and biopsies in the diagnosis of duodenal malignancy.

The value of combined cytohistochemical examination in the diagnosis of malignant duodenal lesions was assessed in 78 patients with suspicious duodenal lesions seen at endoscopy. Cytological smears were taken using the direct-vision brushing technique and all were processed by the same experienced cytologist. Duodenal malignancy was confirmed histologically in four patients. Endoscopic biopsy was positive for malignancy in three of the patients and cytology was suspicious of malignant change in two patients and positive for malignant change in one patient. Cytology alone confirmed the diagnosis of malignancy in one patient. The cumulative diagnostic yield using both biopsy and cytology was 100%.