Background: Biliary strictures, whether benign or malignant, pose a significant diagnostic challenge. A detailed analysis of the potential factors affecting the differentiation between benign and malignant biliary strictures was undertaken to enhance the precision and efficiency of diagnostic procedures. Methods: This study examined multiple variables such as stricture length, levels of the biomarker CA 19-9, ALKP and bilirubin, alongside demographic factors such as age and gender. Through a comprehensive analysis, we sought to identify which parameters could most reliably indicate the nature of biliary strictures. Results: Our findings revealed that length of the stricture emerged as a notable factor, with an accuracy of 86.7% in distinguishing benign from malignant strictures. The biomarker CA 19- 9 demonstrated a remarkable efficiency with a predictive accuracy of 89.2%. Furthermore, the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and serum bilirubin were found to be reliable indicators, with AUC values of 0.78 and 0.82 respectively. Gender appeared to be less significant in predicting malignancy, while age exhibited a strong statistically significant association with malignancy. Conclusion: Our study underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach in diagnosing biliary strictures. The identified markers and parameters can potentially enhance the current diagnostic protocols, facilitating more targeted and effective strategies for managing individuals with biliary strictures.

Background: Biliary strictures, whether benign or malignant, pose a significant diagnostic challenge. A detailed analysis of the potential factors affecting the differentiation between benign and malignant biliary strictures was undertaken to enhance the precision and efficiency of diagnostic procedures. Methods: This study examined multiple variables such as stricture length, levels of the biomarker CA 19-9, ALKP and bilirubin, alongside demographic factors such as age and gender. Through a comprehensive analysis, we sought to identify which parameters could most reliably indicate the nature of biliary strictures. Results: Our findings revealed that length of the stricture emerged as a notable factor, with an accuracy of 86.7% in distinguishing benign from malignant strictures. The biomarker CA 19- 9 demonstrated a remarkable efficiency with a predictive accuracy of 89.2%. Furthermore, the levels of serum alkaline phosphatase and serum bilirubin were found to be reliable indicators, with AUC values of 0.78 and 0.82 respectively. Gender appeared to be less significant in predicting malignancy, while age exhibited a strong statistically significant association with malignancy. Conclusion: Our study underscores the importance of a multifaceted approach in diagnosing biliary strictures. The identified markers and parameters can potentially enhance the current diagnostic protocols, facilitating more targeted and effective strategies for managing individuals with biliary strictures.