Obstructive dilatation of extrahepatic recipient and donor bile ducts complicating orthotopic liver transplantation: imaging and laboratory findings

Biliary obstruction in liver transplants is most commonly due to stricture at the biliary anastomosis. The native common bile duct typically is normal. We retrospectively studied 28 patients with choledochocholedochostomy anastomoses who had marked native and donor extrahepatic bile duct dilatation associated with clinical evidence of biliary obstruction. Operative cholangiograms were compared with postoperative cholangiograms obtained a mean of 50 weeks (range, 2-246 weeks) later. Mean caliber of the native common bile duct increased from 7.5 +/- 2.0 mm on operative cholangiograms to 14.8 +/- 3.9 mm on postoperative cholangiograms (p less than .001). Mean caliber of the donor common hepatic duct increased from 5.9 +/- 1.3 mm on operative cholangiograms to 12.8 +/- 3.8 mm on postoperative cholangiograms (p less than .001). Dilatation of the cystic duct remnant was seen in 15 patients. All patients had surgical revision to choledochojejunostomy with improved results of liver function studies in most cases. Diffuse dilatation of native and donor extrahepatic bile ducts may develop in liver transplant recipients. Typical features include native and donor extrahepatic ducts greater than 12 mm in diameter and a dilated cystic duct remnant on postoperative cholangiography in a patient with otherwise unexplained hepatic dysfunction.     

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis: comparison between MR cholangiography and direct cholangiography

PURPOSE: To compare the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography with that of direct cholangiography for the evaluation of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis underwent MR cholangiography before surgery, and 18 of these 24 also underwent direct cholangiography. Two reviewers evaluated MR cholangiograms and direct cholangiograms and focused on identifying intrahepatic ductal dilatation, stricture, and calculi, as well as coexistent parenchymal abnormalities, on the basis of the classification of the internal lobes and segments of the liver. These observations were compared with surgical findings. RESULTS: According to examination results in the surgical specimens, 24 patients had 46 segmental abnormalities. MR cholangiography depicted all 46 (100%) segments with ductal dilatation, 22 (96%) of 23 segments with focal ductal stricture, and 43 (98%) of 44 segments with ductal calculi. Eighteen patients who underwent direct cholangiography had 32 segmental abnormalities according to examination results in the surgical specimens. Direct cholangiography depicted 15 (47%) of 32 segments with ductal dilatation, eight (44%) of 18 segments with focal ductal stricture, and 14 (45%) of 31 segments with ductal calculi. CONCLUSION: MR cholangiography is superior to direct cholangiography for accurate topographic evaluation of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis because it is able to depict all of the biliary tree, despite obstruction or stenosis.     

Unilocular Extrahepatic Biliary Cystadenoma Mimicking Choledochal Cyst: A Case Report

We report here on a case of extrahepatic biliary cystadenoma arising from the common hepatic duct. A 42-year-old woman was evaluated by us to find the cause of her jaundice. Ultrasonography and CT showed a cystic dilatation of the common hepatic duct and also marked dilatation of the intrahepatic duct. Direct cholangiography demonstrated a large filling defect between the left hepatic duct and the common hepatic duct; dilatation of the intrahepatic duct was also demonstrated. Following excision of the cystic mass, it was pathologically confirmed as a unilocular biliary mucinous cystadenoma arising from the common hepatic duct.     

Endoscopic retrograde intrahepatic cholangiogram: radiographic findings in intrahepatic disease.

Endoscopic retrograde intrahepatic cholangiograms were evaluated in 107 patients and correlated with intrahepatic diagnoses determined by liver biopsy. Included were normal livers (six), cirrhosis (38) portal fibrosis (14), cholangitis (22), metastases (11), and miscellaneous diagnoses (16). Results suggest that differentiation of the normal from the abnormal intrahepatic biliary system using the endoscopic retrograde intrahepatic cholangiogram is possible, and that certain patterns of abnormality prevail within given disease categories. The cholangiogram in cirrhosis is marked by ductular stenosis, diminished arborization, tortuosity, and approximation of the intrahepatic ducts. Sclerosing cholangitis demonstrates focal stenoses with concomitant ectasias and frequent similar involvement of the extrahepatic system. Chronic cholangitis and portal fibrosis are frequently associated with extrahepatic obstructing lesions and increased intrahepatic ductal caliber, but demonstrate no distinguishing intrahepatic characteristics. Intrahepatic metastases, polycystic liver disease, and primary hepatic neoplasm produce mass effects consisting of ductal displacement, narrowing, and obstruction. The potential of endoscopic retrograde intrahepatic cholangiography in evaluating the intraheptic biliary tree is significant; specifically in separating normal from abnormal, in distinguishing between intrahepatic processes, and as an adjunct to liver biopsy in determining the extent and location of intrahepatic abnormalities.     

微创可复梗阻性黄疸模型的建立

目的探讨建立适合内镜外科治疗研究的微创可复梗阻性黄疸模型的方法。方法健康版纳小型猪8头,随机分为对照组和模型组。对照组胆囊内置入改造的Foley尿管。模型组在胆道超选导丝引导下经胆囊内Foley尿管将胆道取石球囊导管由胆囊管送入胆总管。模型组于手术当天保持取石球囊空虚以造成胆道部分梗阻,于术后第2天充盈取石球囊以造成胆道完全梗阻,于术后4天撤除取石球囊导管以解除胆道梗阻。两组均于术后第2、4、6天行胆道造影检查,并取静脉血检测肝功生化指标。结果胆道造影显示模型组胆道部分梗阻时间段肝总管以上胆管明显扩张,壁光滑;胆道完全梗阻时间段肝内外胆管均扩张,壁光滑,尤以胆总管扩张明显,两者与对照组比较,均有显著性差异。胆道解除梗阻时间段肝内胆管未显影,胆总管未见扩张,壁光滑,与对照组比较无显著差异。模型组胆道部分梗阻时间段、完全梗阻时间段血清肝功生化指标较对照组显著增高;胆道解除梗阻时间段血清胆红素检查结果较梗阻时间段显著降低,但仍较对照组显著增高。结论利用胆道取石球囊导管成功地建立了适合进行内镜外科治疗研究的微创可复梗阻性黄疸模型,为梗阻性黄疸对机体多系统损害及其治疗的研究提供了可靠、简单且微创的实验方法。     

Portal biliopathy: imaging manifestations on multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Portal biliopathy refers to biliary abnormalities secondary to extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and cavernous transformation and is caused by vascular compression from peribiliary collateral vessels, producing segmental stenoses of the common bile duct and abnormal liver function test (LFT) results. A review of imaging studies yielded 18 patients with abnormal LFT results, biliary tract dilatation, and extrahepatic portal vein obstruction with cavernous transformation. Multidetector computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed biliary stenotic segments in 11 patients secondary to extrinsic compression from enlarged peribiliary collaterals. Clinical and imaging follow-up demonstrated improvement in LFT results with minimal decrease in bile duct dilatation, eliminating percutaneous or endoscopic biliary intervention.     

恶性梗阻性黄疸的ERCP与CT对照分析

本文对比分析了８２例恶性梗阻性黄疸（包括胆管癌４５例，转移性癌２６例，胰头癌６例及壶腹周围癌５例）的ＥＲＣＰ与ＣＴ表现，主要发现：恶性胆管梗阻部位多位于肝外胆管近侧段；肝外胆管近侧段梗阻所致的肝内胆管重度扩张的发生率，远多于远侧段阻塞，在反映肝内胆管扩张程度、扩张范围方面ＣＴ优于ＥＲＣＰ，而显示病灶肿块直接征象方面ＥＲＣＰ优于ＣＴ。     

Cholangiopathy in extrahepatic portal venous obstruction. Radiological appearances

PURPOSE: To evaluate cholangiographic abnormalities resulting from extrahepatic portal venous obstruction (EHPVO) by sonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-three patients with an established diagnosis of EHPVO were subjected to duplex Doppler sonography and ERCP. Of these, 8 patients had obstructive jaundice. RESULTS: Dilated common bile duct with pericholedochal varices showing a continuous type of flow pattern was seen in 5 EHPVO patients with obstructive jaundice. ERCP revealed cholangiographic abnormalities in 40 patients (93%). Extrahepatic bile ducts were involved in 100% of cases compared to intrahepatic bile ducts (57%). Abnormalities noted were contour irregularity with indentations, displacement and angulation, strictures and filling defects in the extrahepatic ductal system. Intrahepatic bile ducts showed dilatation with areas of narrowing and filling defects. CONCLUSION: Cholangiographic abnormalities are very common in patients with EHPVO, even without clinical manifestations of biliary disease. Extrahepatic bile ducts are far more often involved compared to intrahepatic bile ducts. Extrinsic compression with contour irregularity is the most common cholangiographic finding. Sonographic findings are not diagnostic. Dilated common bile duct with pericholedochal varices was seen in only 5 patients.     

Computed tomographic diagnosis of obstructive jaundice in the absence of intrahepatic ductal dilatation.

Six patients with obstructive jaundice had computed tomography (CT) scans showing a dilated extrahepatic biliary tree in the absence of intrahepatic ductal dilatation. Dilated extrahepatic bile ducts were most easily identified by means of intravenous injection of urographic contrast material, which permitted them to be seen as low density structures. Findings in these patients emphasize that (1) demonstration of dilated intrahepatic bile ducts is not a prerequisite for the CT diagnosis of obstructive jaundice and (2) careful CT evaluation of the extrahepatic biliary tree is necessary to identify patients with isolated dilatation of the common hepatic or common bile duct.     

Expandable metallic biliary endoprostheses: preliminary clinical evaluation

A biliary endoprosthesis constructed of self-expanding metallic "Z" stents was placed in 23 patients with obstructive jaundice. The biliary obstruction was due to a malignant neoplasm in 21 patients and a postoperative biliary stricture in two patients. The lesions affected the intrahepatic biliary ducts in 13 patients. Twelve patients had undergone radiation therapy before stent placement. The endoprostheses consisted of 196 expandable metallic biliary stents placed singly (n = 10) or in tandem (n = 186). As many as 18 stents were used to relieve an obstruction in one patient. A transhepatic approach was employed in all patients except one in whom stents were placed through a T-tube tract. Within 1 week after placement, all stents expanded to at least 90% of their original diameter. Three misplaced, two deformed, and two dislodged stents caused no obvious clinical problems. At follow-up, which ranged from 2 to 59 weeks, five patients experienced recurrent jaundice. Two patients with recurrent jaundice due to obstruction of the bile duct containing the stent were treated with external catheter drainage. The expandable biliary endoprosthesis is suggested as an effective treatment for benign and malignant biliary obstruction.     

Choledochal cysts: classification and cholangiographic appearance

A classification scheme for choledochal cysts is outlined and their appearance on cholangiograms is illustrated. Choledochal cysts are uncommon anomalies of the biliary system and are probably congenital in origin. They are manifested by cystic dilatation of the extra- or intrahepatic biliary tree or both. The classification system described here divides choledochal cysts into one of five main types. The most common, which is manifested by cystic or focal segmental dilatation of the common bile duct or fusiform choledochal dilatation, accounts for 80-90% of cases.     

Suprapancreatic biliary obstruction: CT evaluation

In a 5-year period, 92 patients with biliary obstruction proximal to the pancreatic segment were evaluated with computed tomography (CT). Seventy-three were judged to have technically optimal studies. Observations of the level of obstruction were compared with data from 50 percutaneous transhepatic cholangiograms; CT data enabled the level of obstruction to be correctly predicted in 46. CT enabled correct prediction of the distribution of obstructing lesions in all 18 patients with intrahepatic obstruction. Forty-four of the 73 patients had pathologic examination of the porta hepatitis. CT findings of obstructing mass and lesser omental nodes resulted in correct prediction of malignancy in 25 (92%) of 27 patients; the absence of such findings enabled correct prediction of benign disease in 13 (77%) of 17 individuals. CT is most valuable as a noninvasive means of planning surgical or radiologic drainage procedures in patients with biliary obstruction.     

Portal hypertension and obstructive jaundice after hepatic interventions: report of two unusual complications

We report two unusual complications after a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt and a biliary stent placement, respectively. One patient with cirrhosis and portal hypertension developed obstructive jaundice secondary to compression of the right hepatic duct by a stent graft placed in the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt. In another patient, biliary stents caused obstruction of the portal vein, resulting in symptomatic portal hypertension. An awareness of these possible complications is important for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of such complications.     

胆道阻塞的CT诊断—与直接胆管造影的比较研究

本文对８２例手术病理证实的阻塞性黄疸作前瞻性ＣＴ诊断，并与直接胆道造影比较研究。发现胆管逐渐尖削，明显的肝外胆管壁环状增厚是良性阻塞可靠且特异的ＣＴ征象。肝内外胆管不一致扩张（内轻外重），扩张胆管腔内ＣＴ值大于２０ＨＵ对良性阻塞的判断有一定帮助。管突断伴或不伴肿块，胆管壁局根不规则增厚是恶性阻塞相对可靠且特异的ＣＴ征象。ＣＴ能清楚显示肝内胆管扩张及它们汇合处解部剖及变异。比较直接胆管造影，ＣＴ对肝     

Cholescintigraphy in the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis. How specific is it?

Previous results from tests on a limited number of patients suggested that the combination of relatively normal hepatocyte clearance, prolonged parenchymal transit time, and eventual passage of radiotracer into the intestine or gallbladder without evidence of biliary tract dilatation were relatively specific for intrahepatic cholestasis. We reevaluated the specificity of cholescintigraphy for the diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis in an unselected group of patients from a general hospital. Sixteen patients had the cholescintigraphic findings of intrahepatic cholestasis and an established diagnosis of biliary tract dilatation or nondilatation by ultrasound, ERCP, or intraoperative cholangiography. Using 6 mm as the upper limits of normal for the diameter of the common hepatic duct by ultrasonography resulted in a specificity of 63% (10 correct out of 16); using 6 mm plus 1 mm for for every decade over 60 years of age gave a specificity of 75% (12 correct out of 16); and using the more liberal criterion of 8 mm as the upper limits of normal increased the specificity to 81% (13 out of 16). The data suggest that cholescintigraphy alone is unreliable in differentiating intrahepatic cholestasis from extrahepatic obstruction, even when the obstruction is partial and radiotracer eventually passes through the extrahepatic biliary tract.     

继发于肝细胞癌的胆管梗阻影像表现

本文分析１７例继发于肝细胞癌的胆管梗阻ＥＲＣＰ表现，并与ＵＳ和ＣＴ对照。ＥＲＣＰ特点：（１）胆管不规则受压伸展移位和偏心性狭窄；（２）胆管腔内膨胀性充盈缺损；（３）胆管呈跳跃式狭窄。而ＣＴ和ＵＳ表现缺乏特征性。     

恶性胆道梗阻ERCP表现及胆道内支架治疗

目的:评价ERCP在恶性胆道梗阻诊断及胆道内支架治疗的价值。方法:回顾性分析19例恶性胆道梗阻ERCP表现和内支架植入情况。结果:19例恶性胆道梗阻ERCP表现直接征象:胆管截断征9例、不规则偏心性或向心性狭窄9例、不规则充盈缺损1例。间接征象:梗阻近端胆总管中、重度扩张,肝内胆管扩张,呈软藤征;胆囊增大;胰管扩张等。19例共植入支架22个,一次操作成功率95.65%,低位梗阻减黄有效率达92.85%,高位梗阻减黄有效率达80.00%。结论:ERCP对于胆道梗阻定位、定性诊断有很大价值,胆道内支架引流术可以作为恶性胆道梗阻姑息性治疗的首选方法。     

Intrahepatic bile duct dilatation shown by computed tomography--predilection for the left lobe?

Dilated biliary duct radicles were most obvious within the left lobe of the liver in 30 out of 42 patients with obstructive jaundice in whom intrahepatic duct dilatation was satisfactorily demonstrated by computed tomography. In 19 of these 30 patients the level of obstruction was at the lower end of the common bile duct. Recognition of this finding may prevent the erroneous diagnosis of intrahepatic or multiple obstructing lesions.     

Degree of bile-duct dilatation in liver-transplanted patients with biliary stricture: a magnetic resonance cholangiography-based study

PURPOSE: This study assessed whether the degree of bile-duct dilatation in liver-transplanted patients is correlated with the time from intervention and the type of underlying biliary stricture. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Fifty-seven 3D magnetic resonance cholangiograms (MRCs) performed on 42 liver-transplanted patients were retrospectively evaluated. Diameter was measured at the level of the extrahepatic bile duct (EBD), right hepatic duct (RHD), left hepatic duct (LHD), anterior and posterior right hepatic ducts (aRHD, pRHD) and left lateral and medial ducts (LLD, LMD). Data were stratified according to the type of biliary stricture (all types, anastomotic, ischaemic-like, mixed) and compared, on a per-examination basis: (a) between two groups based on time from transplantation using a 1-year threshold (nonlongitudinal analysis); (b) among 26 repeated examinations on 11 patients (longitudinal analysis); (c) among different stricture groups. RESULTS: The biliary tree was slightly dilated within 1 year from transplantation (2.9±1.3 to 6.1±3.2 mm). In general, nonlongitudinal analysis showed minimally larger duct size after 1 year (mean +1.4±0.5 mm) despite significant differences at most sites of measurement considering all types of strictures (p<0.01; Mann-Whitney U test). Longitudinal analysis showed diameter increase over time, although without statistically significant differences (p>0.01; Kruskal-Wallis test). No significant difference in bile-duct size was observed when comparing types of stricture (p>0.01; Kruskal-Wallis test). CONCLUSIONS: Biliary dilatation after liver transplantation is mild and develops slowly regardless of the underlying type of stricture, possibly in relation to graft properties. MRC has a potential role as first-line imaging modality for a reliable assessment of biliary dilatation and the presence of a stricture.     

超声对华支睾吸虫感染所致胆道梗阻的诊断价值

目的 探讨华支睾吸虫感染所致胆道梗阻的超声影像特点及其诊断价值.资料与方法 回顾性分析43例华支睾吸虫感染患者的胆道梗阻声像图表现,并与胆总管病变引起的胆道梗阻作比较.结果 43例华支睾吸虫感染所致胆道梗阻患者均表现为肝内胆管轻至中度扩张,以次级胆管明显,胆管壁增厚,回声增强,胆囊肿大,胆总管轻度扩张,扩张程度与肝内胆管不成正比.胆总管病变引起的胆道梗阻其肝内胆管扩张程度与胆总管成正比.结论 华支睾吸虫感染所致胆道梗阻超声表现具有特征性,超声可作为该病的有效诊断方法.