Biliary strictures on ERCP: a study in northern India.

Case records of 82 patients with biliary stricture diagnosed on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during a 7-years period (1983-89) were analysed for its aetiology, clinical presentation, laboratory abnormalities and radiological characteristics. The aetiology was found to be benign in 59 and malignant in 23 patients. Forty seven percent of all strictures were post cholecystectomy strictures (PCS). Presence of mucosal irregularity and incomplete stricture were commoner with malignancy. Malignant biliary strictures (MBS) were commonly seen in males, occurred at older age, had short history, had higher alkaline phosphtase and serum bilirubin values when compared to patients with benign biliary strictures (BBS).