BACKGROUND AND AIM The present study was undertaken to determine if detection of Ki-ras gene point mutations in bile specimens could differentiate between benign and malignant biliary strictures.

PATIENTS Bile specimens were obtained from 117 patients exhibiting a stricture of the main bile duct, the nature of which was assessed by cholangiography, histology, and follow up.

RESULTS DNA amplification was successful in 110/117 bile specimens (94%). Detection of Ki-ras gene mutations in bile specimens was positive in 24.4% (22/90) of patients with malignant strictures, in 31.4% (22/70) when only primary malignant tumours were considered, and in 4% (1/25) of patients with benign strictures. Of the 49 patients with histological specimens obtained before surgery, the sensitivity of histology, Ki-rasmutation analysis, and combined methods was 59.2%, 28.6%, and 73.5% respectively.

CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that Ki-ras mutations may be detected in about one third of bile specimens from patients with primary tumours invading the main bile duct. Detection of such mutations appears to be specific and may help to differentiate between benign and malignant biliary strictures.