Efficacy of percutaneous image-guided biopsy for diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous biopsy for diagnosing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCCA).

Methods: Retrospective review of biopsy and pathology databases from 2006 to 2019 yielded 112 patients (54F/58 M; mean age, 62.9 years; 27 cirrhotic) with IHCCA who underwent percutaneous biopsy. Data regarding the lesion, biopsy procedure technique, and diagnostic yield were collected. If biopsy was non-diagnostic or discordant with imaging, details of repeat biopsy or resection/explant were gathered. A control group of 100 consecutive patients (56F/44 M; mean age, 63 years, 5 cirrhotic) with focal liver lesions > 1 cm was similarly assessed.

Results: Mean IHCCA lesion size was 6.1 ± 3.6 cm, with dominant lesion sampled in 78% (vs. satellite in 22%). 95% (n = 106) were US guided and 96% were core biopsies (n = 108), typically 18G (n = 102, 91%), median 2 passes. 18 patients (16%) had discordant/ambiguous pathology results requiring repeat biopsy, with two patients requiring 3-4 total attempts. A 4.4% minor complication rate was seen. Mean time from initial biopsy to final diagnosis was 60 ± 120 days. Control group had mean lesion size of 2.9 ± 2.5 cm and showed a non-diagnostic rate of 3.3%, both significantly lower than that seen with CCA, with average time to diagnosis of 21 ± 28.8 days (p = 0.002, p = 0.001).

Conclusion: IHCCA is associated with lower diagnostic yield at initial percutaneous biopsy, despite larger target lesion size. If a suspicious lesion yields a biopsy result discordant with imaging, the radiologist should recommend prompt repeat biopsy to prevent delay in diagnosis.