Oriental cholangiohepatitis: sonographic findings in 48 cases

Oriental cholangiohepatitis is characterized by recurrent attacks of abdominal pain, fever, chill, and jaundice and grossly dilated extrahepatic and intrahepatic ducts containing soft, pigmented stone and pus. Sonograms were studied in 48 patients in whom the diagnosis was later proved during surgery (n = 34) or on the basis of clinical and laboratory findings and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (n = 14). The sonographic findings included intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile duct stones (n = 47); moderate to severe dilatation of the extrahepatic ducts with relatively mild or no dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts (n = 41); localized dilatation of the lobar or segmental bile ducts, especially the left hepatic lobe (n = 16); and gallstones (n = 22). Our experience suggests that the preoperative diagnosis of oriental cholangiohepatitis can be strongly suggested by sonographic findings.     

Bone marrow edema and associated pain in early stage osteonecrosis of the femoral head: prospective study with serial MR images

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) cholangiography for demonstration of the biliary tract and detection of biliary complications in patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Breath-hold half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement MR cholangiography was performed in 25 patients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation. MR cholangiograms were prospectively and independently interpreted by two radiologists for depiction of the biliary tract and ductal anastomosis and for complications (eg, biliary dilatation, stricture, stones). MR cholangiographic findings were correlated with findings from direct cholangiography (n = 24) and surgery (n = 1). RESULTS: MR cholangiography completely demonstrated first-order intrahepatic bile ducts in 23 (92%) patients, the donor extrahepatic bile duct in 25 (100%), the recipient extrahepatic bile duct in 17 of 18 (94%), and the anastomosis in 24 (96%). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MR cholangiography for detection of biliary dilatation and stricture were each 100%. Complete interobserver agreement occurred in the detection of biliary dilatation and stricture. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of MR cholangiography for detection of stones were 100% for one radiologist and 86%, 100%, 96%, 100%, and 95%, respectively, for the other. Both radiologists agreed on the diagnosis of bile duct stones in six of seven cases (kappa = 0.90). CONCLUSION: MR cholangiography enables accurate depiction of the biliary tract and detection of biliary complications in patients with an orthotopic liver transplant.     

Role of MR cholangiopancreatography in patients with failed or inadequate ERCP

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the spectrum of MR imaging features of primary sclerosing cholangitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of MR imaging findings including MR cholangiography and multiphasic contrast-enhanced dynamic sequences in 22 patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. MR imaging analysis included abnormalities of intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts, abnormalities of liver parenchyma, changes in liver morphology, and lymphadenopathy. RESULTS: Abnormal findings of bile ducts were seen in all 22 patients; the most common finding was intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (77%), followed by intrahepatic bile duct stenosis (64%), extrahepatic bile duct wall enhancement (67%), extrahepatic bile duct wall thickening (50%), extrahepatic bile duct stenosis (50%), and intrahepatic bile duct beading (36%). Increased enhancement of the liver parenchyma on dynamic arterial-phase images, predominantly in the peripheral areas of the liver, was identified in 56% of patients. Other findings included periportal lymphadenopathy (77%), periportal high signal intensity on T2-weighted images (68%), hypertrophy of the caudate lobe (68%), and abnormal hyperintensity of the liver parenchyma on T1-weighted images (23%). CONCLUSION: On MR imaging, primary sclerosing cholangitis showed several characteristic features, including bile duct abnormalities and increased enhancement of the liver parenchyma. MR cholangiography and contrast-enhanced dynamic MR techniques are useful for revealing intra- and extrahepatic signs of primary sclerosing cholangitis.     

Chemotherapy-induced sclerosing cholangitis

AIM: To review the computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cholangiographic findings of chemotherapy-induced sclerosing cholangitis (CISC). METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2004, 11 patients in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiography database were identified with CISC. Twelve CT, four MRI, 69 endoscopic and nine antegrade cholangiographic studies in these patients were reviewed. Serial change in appearance and response to endoscopic treatment were recorded. RESULTS: CISC showed segmental irregular biliary dilatation with strictures of proximal extrahepatic bile ducts. The distal 5cm of common bile duct was not affected in any patient. CT and MRI findings included altered vascular perfusion of one or more liver segments, liver metastases or peritoneal carcinomatosis. Biliary strictures needed repeated stenting in 10 patients (mean: every 4.7 months). Cirrhosis (n=1) or confluent fibrosis (n=0) were uncommon findings. CONCLUSION: CISC shares similar cholangiographic appearances to primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Unlike PSC, biliary disease primarily involved ducts at the hepatic porta rather than intrahepatic ducts. Multiphasic contrast-enhanced CT or MRI may show evidence of perfusion abnormalities, cavitary liver lesions, or metastatic disease.     

Rare localization of a portal cavernoma in the wall of the common bile duct

The first communication on biliary complications secondary to a portal cavernoma was published in 1965 [Br. J. Surg. 52 (1965) 636.], and since then several cases have been reported in the medical literature. These biliary complications, studied initially by anterograde or retrograde cholangiography, and later MR cholangiography [Van Hoe L, Van Beckevoort D, Van Steenbergen W. Atlas of across-sectional and projective MR cholangiography. Berlin: Springer; 1999. p. 166-7.], appear to be secondary to a double mechanism which produces a compression of the common bile duct (CBD) and ischemic changes. The biliary abnormalities most frequently found are a dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts associated with extrinsic strictures and segmental dilatation of the CBD [J. Radiol. 83 (2001) 341.]. We report a rare type of portal cavernoma characterized by a thickening of the walls of the CBD and by a dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts. The thickened walls of the CBD were evaluated by ultrasound and by magnetic resonance imaging.     

MR cholangiography of late biliary complications after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the role of MR cholangiography in the diagnosis of late biliary complications after liver transplantation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three liver transplantation patients (18 men and five women; mean age, 46 years) underwent MR cholangiography using a nonbreath-hold, fat-suppressed three-dimensional turbo spin-echo sequence (TR/TE, 3000/700; echo train length, 128) optimized on a 0.5-T magnet. Inclusion criteria were liver function tests with abnormal results and hyperbilirubinemia with a clinical pattern not specific for biliary obstruction. All patients were referred by clinicians for contrast-enhanced cholangiography. Diagnostic confirmation was obtained with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (n = 4), endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (n = 8), T-tube cholangiography (n = 1), or clinical follow-up (n = 10). RESULTS: In 11 patients, no abnormalities of the biliary tract were revealed by MR cholangiography. In 11 patients, twelve strictures were diagnosed (nine anastomotic, two nonanastomotic-intrahepatic, and one nonanastomotic-extrahepatic, with association between anastomotic and nonanastomotic strictures in two cases). In one other patient, kinking of the common bile duct at the level of the anastomosis was observed. In all cases, MR cholangiography correctly showed the site of the stricture and the dilatation of bile ducts above, with excellent correlation with contrast-enhanced cholangiographic findings. Strictures were correctly graded in eight of 10 patients and were overestimated in two. Other findings included a 1-cm stone detected proximal to the obstructed common bile duct in one patient and multiple intrahepatic stones in another patient. CONCLUSION: MR cholangiography can show biliary obstruction and provide important information for planning therapeutic procedures.     

MR Imaging Findings of Clonorchiasis

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the MR spectrum and MR cholangiographic imaging findings of clonorchiasis.

Materials and Methods

We reviewed 26 patients with confirmed clonorchiasis by either stool tests (n=24) or surgery (n=2). MR imaging was performed on a 1.5 T system (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI) with a torso coil. Axial T1- and T2-weighted, gadolinium-enhanced dynamic images and MR cholangiography were obtained. Image analyses were used to identify abnormalities of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts and the presence of hepatobiliary malignancy. All MR examinations were reviewed by the consensus of two abdominal radiologists.

Results

Intrahepatic bile duct abnormalities were seen in 23 (89%) of the 26 patients. The most common finding was mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct which was found in 21 (81%). "Too many intrahepatic ducts" were found in 16(62%), wall enhancement and thickening in 21 (81%) and filling defects and ductal stricture in the intrahepatic bile duct in 6 (24%) and 3 (12%) patients, respectively. Extrahepatic ductal dilation was found in 5 (19%) and 9 (35%) revealed hepatobiliary malignancy.

Conclusion

MR imaging revealed various findings of clonorchiasis, including dilatation, wall enhancement, stricture of the intrahepatic ducts and filling defect within the intrahepatic bile duct.     

Percutaneous cholecystography in children

Percutaneous cholecystography was performed on 13 children who had biliary system abnormalities: two had biliary hypoplasia, five had sclerosing cholangitis, three had cirrhosis, two had distal choledochal obstruction, and one had an obstructed portoenterostomy. In 12 patients transcholecystic cholangiography showed, without significant complications, the intra-and extrahepatic bile ducts. In one patient with primary sclerosing cholangitis, the intrahepatic bile ducts were not opacified satisfactorily; dilatation of the gallbladder required surgical drainage. The transcholecystic technique is indicated when the intrahepatic bile ducts are either mildly dilated or not dilated.     

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.     

Magnetic resonance cholangiography features of biliary abnormalities due to cavernous transformation of the portal vein

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective and monocentric study was to describe the magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) features of biliary abnormalities related to extrahepatic obstruction of the portal vein (EHOPV). METHODS: From September 2001 to May 2003, MRC was performed in 10 consecutive patients who had a portal thrombosis. RESULTS: Biliary ductal pathology was demonstrated via MRC in nine patients. It consisted of stenoses, ductal narrowing or irregularities involving the common bile duct for three patients with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis discovered a mean of 1.5 years ago, or involving both right and left intrahepatic bile ducts and common bile duct for six patients with extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis discovered a mean of 16.2 years ago. Dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts was seen for seven patients, four of them having cholestasis. For three patients with symptomatic cholestasis, direct cholangiography (DC) was performed and showed the same findings as MRC which nevertheless overestimated the degree of bile duct stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: MRC seems to constitute an accurate tool to investigate noninvasively patients with portal biliopathy.     

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     

CT findings of clonorchiasis

Clonorchiasis is a snail-transmitted trematodiasis caused by Chinese liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. Forty-two patients with the disease were examined with CT. Seventeen patients had clonorchiasis alone, and 25 patients had clonorchiasis with hepatobiliary malignancies (20 cholangiocarcinomas, four hepatocellular carcinomas, one carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater). In three of the 17 patients with clonorchiasis alone, the CT scans were normal. In 14 patients (82%), CT showed diffuse, minimal, or mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. None of the patients had marked dilatation. The extrahepatic biliary tree was normal in all 17 patients. All 25 patients with clonorchiasis and hepatobiliary malignancies had diffuse dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts on CT, including 18 patients with minimal or mild dilatation and seven patients with marked dilatation. All seven patients with marked dilatation had extrahepatic biliary malignancies. Clonorchis sinensis per se or thickening of the bile duct wall could not be recognized on CT scans. Additional abnormalities evident on CT included pyogenic liver abscesses in two patients and gallstones in five patients. The diagnosis of clonorchiasis can be suspected when CT shows diffuse, uniform, and minimal or mild dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, particularly in the periphery of the liver, without evidence of extrahepatic biliary dilatation.     

Oriental cholangiohepatitis: pathologic, clinical, and radiologic features

Oriental cholangiohepatitis, an endemic disease in Southeast Asia, is characterized by recurrent attacks of abdominal pain, fever, and jaundice. Pathologically, the intra- and extrahepatic ducts are dilated and contain soft, pigmented stone and pus. There is proliferation of bile ducts and infiltration of inflammatory cells along the periportal spaces and hepatic parenchyma. Localized intrahepatic segmental ductal stenosis may be present, especially in the lateral segment of the left lobe or posterior segment of the right hepatic lobe. The cause of the disease is not known, but associations with clonorchiasis, ascariasis, and nutritional deficiency have been suggested. Sonographic and CT findings include intra- or extrahepatic duct stones, dilatation of the extrahepatic duct with relatively mild or no dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts, localized dilatation of the lobar or segmental bile ducts, increased periportal echogenicity, segmental hepatic atrophy, and gallstones. Cholangiographic findings include bile duct stones; disproportionately severe dilatation of the extrahepatic ducts with mild or no dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts; and focal strictures, acute peripheral tapering, straightening, rigidity, decreased arborization, and an increased branching angle of the intrahepatic bile ducts.     

CT and MR cholangiography: advantages and pitfalls in perioperative evaluation of biliary tree

Recent developments in imaging technology have enabled CT and MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to provide minimally invasive alternatives to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the pre- and post-operative assessment of biliary disease. This article describes anatomical variants of the biliary tree with surgical significance, followed by comparison of CT and MR cholangiographies. Drip infusion cholangiography with CT (DIC-CT) enables high-resolution three-dimensional anatomical representation of very small bile ducts (e.g. aberrant branches, the caudate branch and the cystic duct), which are potential causes of surgical complications. The disadvantages of DIC-CT include the possibility of adverse reactions to biliary contrast media and insufficient depiction of bile ducts caused by liver dysfunction or obstructive jaundice. Conventional MRCP is a standard, non-invasive method for evaluating the biliary tree. MRCP provides useful information, especially regarding the extrahepatic bile ducts and dilated intrahepatic bile ducts. Gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced MRCP may facilitate the evaluation of biliary structure and excretory function. Understanding the characteristics of each type of cholangiography is important to ensure sufficient perioperative evaluation of the biliary system.     

Using contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with IV mangafodipir trisodium (Teslascan) to evaluate bile duct leaks after cholecystectomy: a prospective study of 11 patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to determine whether contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography using IV mangafodipir trisodium can accurately detect the presence and location of bile duct leaks in patients who have undergone cholecystectomy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Our study group included 11 patients with suspected bile duct leaks after cholecystectomy. Axial single-shot fast spin-echo and gradient-echo images were acquired in all patients before and 1-2 hr after IV administration of mangafodipir trisodium. The contrast-enhanced MR cholangiograms were evaluated for image quality, degree of ductal or small bowel opacification, and the presence and location of bile duct leaks, strictures, and stones. MR cholangiograms were correlated with conventional contrast-enhanced cholangiograms obtained in all patients, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (n = 10) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (n = 1). RESULTS: Excretion of mangafodipir trisodium was noted in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in all patients from 1 to 2 hr after IV administration. Bile ducts and fluid collections that contained excreted mangafodipir trisodium showed increased signal intensity on gradient-echo sequences and decreased signal intensity on single-shot fast spin-echo sequences. Conventional contrast-enhanced cholangiography showed the presence of bile duct leaks in six patients and the absence of bile duct leaks in five patients, with false-negative findings in one patient and false-positive findings in one patient for bile duct leak (sensitivity, 86%; specificity, 83%). CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced MR cholangiography with IV mangafodipir trisodium can successfully detect the presence and location of bile duct leaks in patients suspected of having such leaks after undergoing cholecystectomy. More research is necessary before acceptance of this examination as routine in the workup of these patients.     

Visualization of pancreaticobiliary reflux in anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction by secretin-stimulated dynamic magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography

PURPOSE: To assess the utility of secretin-stimulated dynamic MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for the visualization of pancreaticobiliary reflux in patients with anomalous pancreaticobiliary junction (PBJ). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ten controls and seven patients diagnosed as having anomalous PBJ were prospectively examined by dynamic MRCP after secretin injection using a breath-hold, single-shot turbo spin-echo T2-weighted sequence. The optimal MRCP section was repeated 35 times at approx. 10-second interval after secretin injection; the acquisition time was 4 s per image. The signal intensity (SI) changes of the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts, presence or absence of intraluminal signal void, caliber change of the bile duct, duodenal filling, and peak time of the SI ratio of the extrahepatic bile duct after secretin injection were compared between the controls and patients. RESULTS: In the controls, the extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts showed neither enhancement nor caliber change over the observation period, providing no apparent peak time. Of the seven patients, the extrahepatic bile duct showed retrograde enhancement and sequential delay in occurrence of the peak time from its distal third to its proximal third (n = 6) with a signal void in its distal part (n =4); its caliber increased subsequently to pancreatic secretion (n = 5); the intrahepatic bile ducts showed a slight enhancement following SI increase of the proximal extrahepatic bile duct (n = 6); duodenal filling grade tended to be lower in the patients than volunteers (P<.005). CONCLUSION: In patients with anomalous PBJ pancreaticobiliary reflux were demonstrated by dynamic secretin-stimulated MRCP.     

Dilated biliary tract: evaluation with MR cholangiography with a T2- weighted contrast-enhanced fast sequence

A heavily T2-weighted gradient-echo sequence was used for magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the biliary system in five healthy volunteers and 13 patients with obstructive jaundice. Images were obtained in the sagittal and coronal planes during sequential breath-hold intervals and were post-processed by using a maximum-intensity projection algorithm. The extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts were well visualized in 11 patients. The level of obstruction and the grade of dilatation were depicted with MR cholangiography. However, the cause of obstruction could be determined with MR cholangiography in only eight cases. The part of the biliary system below the obstruction could not be visualized with MR cholangiography. In the volunteers, MR cholangiography could demonstrate the anatomy of the biliary tract in only two subjects. Possible causes for this phenomenon are the limited spatial resolution of MR imaging, partial volume effects, or flow within the bile ducts. MR cholangiography may be a useful adjunctive tool for noninvasive evaluation of patients with obstructive jaundice. However, further technical advances are necessary to improve image quality.     

MRCP findings in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis

OBJECTIVE: In this essay, we present the spectrum of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct abnormalities seen on MRCP in patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. CONCLUSION: MRCP is a promising, noninvasive alternative to more invasive direct cholangiography for evaluating the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis.     

肝外胆管梗阻病变CT诊断的评价

目的：通过分析良恶性肝外胆管梗阻病变的ＣＴ表现，总结出有鉴别诊断意义的征象。材料与方法：复查分析经手术和病理证实、术前均做了ＣＴ检查的肝外胆管梗阻病变１１７例，良性３８例，恶性７９例。结果：肝外胆管远段梗阻，梗阻部胆管呈漏斗样改变，肝外胆管壁呈环形弥漫型增厚，肝内胆管呈竹节状或小囊状轻、中度扩张，梗阻部肿块内钙化，边界清楚对良性病变诊断有重要意义；肝外胆管中、近段梗阻或肝外胆管未显影者，梗阻部胆管呈截断型或突然狭窄型并伴肿块，肝外胆管壁呈环形局限型增厚，肝内胆管呈藤状或蟹足状中度或重度扩张，梗阻部肿块边界不清，其内可见坏死等征象，高度提示恶性病变。结论：良恶性肝外胆管梗阻病变均有其特征性的ＣＴ征象，注意观察胆管的形态改变，以及与周围组织结构关系，并紧密结合临床综合分析，有助于提高诊断准确性。     

薄层冠扫SSFSE序列在婴幼儿MR胆道成像中的应用

目的：分析探讨薄层冠扫SSFSE序列在婴幼儿MR胆道成像中的临床应用价值。方法：婴幼儿胆道系统疾病患者24例,包括胆道闭锁7例、胆道扩张症13例、胆系结石4例,均行全腹部薄层冠状面单次激发快速自旋回波（SS-FSE）序列扫描,8例经15～20min延迟后行MRI增强扫描。观察患儿肝内外胆道及其各级分支的解剖全貌、走行分布及通畅情况。结果：所有患儿的MR图像在显示肝胆管解剖方面均可达到质量良好（可显示肝内胆管二级以上分支）。胆道闭锁患儿表现为胆囊形态小或不显影,正常肝外胆道结构消失或显示不完整;胆道扩张症患儿表现为位于胆道走行区的囊性包块,伴或不伴有肝内外胆道不同程度扩张;胆系结石患儿表现为胆道／胆囊内短T2信号充盈缺损,或伴近端胆道扩张。结论：薄层冠扫SSFSE序列具有扫描速度快、呼吸伪影少、无电离辐射、胆道系统与周围背景结构的对比度高等优势,较常规腹部MRI扫描能更细致地观察胆道系统的解剖结构和各级分支的走行、管径,了解病变全貌以及是否合并其它脏器异常,可作为婴幼儿胆道疾病的常规影像学检查手段。