Radiology of excessive mucus production as a complication of congenital bile duct abnormalities.

Biliary obstruction was caused by viscid mucus in two patients with congenital bile duct abnormalities. In one patient this produced a progressive dilatation and obstruction of the common bile duct which eventually led to the patient's death; in the other there was a progressive segmental dilatation of the biliary tree which was surgically resected. We wish to emphasize that bile duct mucus has a characteristic appearance on cholangiography but is difficult to recognize on ultrasound and CT scans.     

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。     

Inspissated bile within the common bile duct simulating cholangiocarcinoma. Case report.

There are a variety of abnormalities that can lead to obstruction of the common bile duct, several of which also can cause dilatation and duct irregularity. The differential diagnosis includes such entities as cholangiocarcinoma and carcinoma of the pancreas invading the common bile duct. We present an unusual case in which inspissated bile caused irregularity and obstruction of the common bile duct that radiographically simulated a cholangiocarcinoma.     

Bile duct calibre: the discrepancy between ultrasonic and retrograde cholangiographic measurement in the post-cholecystectomy patient

The discrepancy between bile duct measurements obtained by ultrasound and retrograde cholangiography in post-cholecystectomy patients was prospectively evaluated by performing real-time biliary tract sonography on 50 patients 2-3 h prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). A significant discrepancy was detected (P less than 0.001) which was greatest in 14 patients shown by cholangiography to have duct dilatation without evidence of biliary tract disease (P much less than 0.001). Factors contributing to the discrepancy included: measurement of different regions of the duct by the two techniques, loss of duct wall elasticity producing a 'floppy duct' phenomenon, the capacity of the biliary tract for rapid spontaneous change in calibre, radiographic magnification and ultrasonic underestimation of duct diameter. The sonographic diameters were significantly correlated to the diameters measured by ERC (r = 0.73). Although ERC generally agreed with ultrasound in the diagnosis of duct dilatation (specificity 90%), there was significant disagreement between the two techniques in the detection of non-dilatation, dilated or 'dilatable' systems being missed by ultrasound in 11 out of 21 (52%) of cases in which they were found by ERC. Our results suggest that, in the investigation of the symptomatic post-cholecystectomy patient, direct comparison of bile duct size measured by ultrasound and ERC is of limited clinical value.     

The diagnosis of primary bile duct carcinoma (cholangiocarcinoma) in the jaundiced patient

One hundred and ten patients with obstructive jaundice were investigated in the established manner; an initial abdominal ultrasonic B scan was followed by fine needles percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). This yielded 15 cases of histologically proven primary bile duct carcinoma (cholangiocarcinoma), which is an incidence of 13.6%. Primary bile duct carcinoma is suggested on ultrasonic examination by: (i) Attenuation of the ultrasound beam in the bile duct area especially if the shadowing is multiple and/or from the intrahepatic ducts. (ii) Delineation of a mass associated with the bile ducts. (iii) A high level of duct obstruction with a normal pancreatic appearance. On direct cholangiography a stricture of the duct system which is branched, short, multiple or tapering also suggests primary bile duct malignancy. It is possible to diagnose primary bile duct carcinoma on ultrasonic examination alone once this condition is recognised as occurring with significant frequency. PTC and ERC aid delineation of the extent of the tumour and exclude biliary duct stone as the cause of jaundice.     

Animal model of bile duct dilatation created with minimally invasive surgery

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to evaluate a method of producing obstruction of the common bile duct and concomitant biliary duct dilatation in an animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic placement of a double-balloon occlusion device was used to produce common bile duct obstruction and bile duct dilatation in pigs. RESULTS: One week after the procedure, common bile duct obstruction and dilatation of the biliary tree were demonstrated with either percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or percutaneous cholecystography. CONCLUSION: The use of this method is technically feasible and provides a useful subacute and chronic animal model of common bile duct obstruction and dilatation of the biliary tree for percutaneous interventional training and research purposes.     

Multicystic biliary hamartoma mimicking intrahepatic bile duct cancer

Although multicystic biliary hamartoma of the liver is a rare entity, recently several case reports have been described. The criteria proposed by Zen et al. include the presence of honeycomb-like nodules located around the hepatic capsule that are close to the hepatic falciform ligament and characteristically protrude from the liver.In this report, we present a case of multicystic biliary hamartoma, which also features intrahepatic bile duct dilatation, and could therefore mimic a malignant neoplasm such as bile duct carcinoma. Our case highlights the potential difficulties in differentiating between multicystic biliary hamartoma and bile duct carcinomas under such circumstances.     

ERCP、CT、B超对胰胆管下段疾病的诊断准确性

目的 比较ERCP、CT、B超对胰胆管下段疾病的诊断准确性。方法 100例临床表现为梗阻性黄疸，反复上腹痛、恶心呕吐的患均经ERCP、CT及B超检查本组患经手术病理或活检证实为良性病变(胆总管结石)57例，恶性肿瘤31例，其中胆总管癌11例，胰头癌13例，以及壶腹癌8例。上述3种方法术前的定性诊断准确率均与手术病理结果对照。结果 对胆总管结石的定性诊断准确率：ERCP为98％(n=56)，CT为72％(n=41)，B超为61％(n=35)；对恶性肿瘤的定性诊断准确率：ERCP为97％(n=31)，CT为78％(n=25)，B超为63％(n=20）。结论 ERCP对胰胆管下段良恶性病变的定性诊断准确率明显高于CT和B超，但因CT与B超均属无创性操作且对某些恶性肿瘤也有较高的定性诊断准确率，因此在影像诊断中应考虑3项技术优势互补。     

Dilatation of the common bile duct secondary to a hydronephrotic kidney

Obstruction of the common bile duct secondary to hydronephrosis is uncommon. We observed common bile duct dilatation secondary to marked right hydronephrosis. Following nephrectomy the common bile duct returned to normal size, confirming the suspicion that the dilatation was due to extrinsic compression.     

Congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct: relationship to anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal union.

Thirty patients from 15 to 69 years of age with congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct were studied. The diagnosis was made by intravenous cholangiography in 70% of the patients and by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography in the entire group. Cystic dilatation was also noted in the intraphepatic bile ducts in 12 patients. A union between the common bile and main pancreatic ducts occurred at a high position in 17 of 18 patients in whom both ducts were adequately opacified, forming an abnormally long common channel. One patient with choledochodele had a normal union. The anomalous unions were of two types: the pancreatic duct entering the common duct and the common duct entering the pancreatic duct. The mode of union was correlated with the degree of extrahepatic bile duct dilatation, age of onset, and frequency and severity of symptoms. It is postulated that the congenital anomaly in the union of the two duct systems is the cause of the disease and the congenital choledochocele has a different etiology.     

CT of hepatoma. Dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and intraductal tumour growth

Computed tomography revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts in 25 out of 135 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. In 6 (4.5%) of these 25 cases the dilatation was generalised, while in the remaining 19 cases (14%) dilatation was localised. In each group 3 cases of intraductal tumour growth was confirmed either at operation or autopsy. With metastatic liver tumour, generalised dilatation was observed in 6 cases (7%) and localised dilatation in 3 (3.5%) out of 85 cases. Localised dilatation was found with higher incidence in hepatocellular carcinoma than in metastatic tumour. This may indicate that the incidence of intraductal infiltration is high in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma. When a relatively small tumour is associated with dilatation of bile ducts, it is more probable that the tumour is a hepatocellular carcinoma than a hepatic metastasis.     

多层螺旋CT曲面重建技术在胆总管扩张诊断中的应用

目的:研究胆总管扩张螺旋CT曲面重建技术(CPR)的操作方法、临床应用价值及其局限性。方法:收集20例胆总管扩张患者,将其1～3mm薄层扫描轴位源像(ASI)传到工作站后处理,行扩张胆总管曲面重建成像,作任意曲面显示所要观察的扩张胆总管。经手术病理及随访证实,评估CPR对胆总管扩张病因的定位与定性价值。结果:CPR对扩张胆总管的成像率达100%,均能显示完整的扩张胆总管及梗阻部位,定位准确率达100%,定性准确率达90%。结论:CPR能将不在同一平面的扩张胆总管显示于一个平面上,更好地显示扩张胆总管的连续性,可直观地显示胆总管扩张程度、部位及梗阻端形态,对诊断及鉴别诊断有重要价值。     

Biliary duct ablation with N-butyl cyanoacrylate

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of percutaneous insertion of n-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) in the ablation of bile ducts in patients with persistent postsurgical bile leaks in which traditional means of treatment have failed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ablation of bile ducts with NBCA was performed in six patients (two men and four women). The average length of follow-up was 27 months (range, 13-46 months). Four patients presented after hepatic lobectomy with a persistent bile leak, one patient presented after cholecystectomy with a chronically obstructed bile duct, and one patient presented after cholecystectomy from intraoperative bile duct injury. After access to the biliary system was obtained, a cholangiogram was obtained. After the desired duct was isolated, it was copiously irrigated with saline solution. A glue solution containing NBCA glue, Ethiodol, and tantalum powder was delivered into the duct through a polyethylene catheter that had been irrigated with dextrose solution. RESULTS: Four patients had problems arising from isolated segmental ductal systems that had no communication with the normal biliary ductal system and were treated successfully on the first attempt. In two patients, there was communication to the main biliary ductal system and a persistent bile leak occurred that required placement of a coil and a second final gluing procedure. The only complication observed was unintentional spillage of glue into the main biliary system in one patient, which was ultimately clinically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: The use of NBCA glue in obliteration of bile ducts is a safe procedure with excellent results in patients with complications from isolated segmental ducts. Although a repeat procedure may be necessary if the duct communicates with the main biliary tree, the procedure can decrease the morbidity associated with chronic external biliary drainage.     

螺旋CT在先天性胆管扩张症中的诊断价值

目的探讨螺旋CT在先天性胆管扩张症的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析6例先天性胆管扩张症息者的CT资料，并和US、ERCP和手术结果进行对比分析。结果所有病例的轴位、MPR和三维图像很好的显示肝内外胆管的解剖形态，清楚地显示扩张的肝内外胆管。其中Ⅰ型单纯性胆总管扩张3倒。Ⅳ肝内外胆管均扩张2例，Ⅴ型肝内胆管扩张（Caroli’s病）1例。结论螺旋CT可以很好的显示扩张的肝内外胆管的形态、部位以及周围组织结构。能为临床提供有价值的诊断信息，为手术提供可靠的依据。     

Common bile duct cancer with massive necrosis mimicking choledochal dilatation on CT. Case report

Carcinomas of the common bile duct are usually seen as dilatation of the bile duct proximal to a solid mass on CT. In the case reported here, the common bile duct cancer itself mimicked dilated common bile duct on CT because of massive necrosis. In a case of simulating dilated common bile duct on CT, and discrepancy between CT and ultrasonography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a common bile duct cancer with massive necrosis should be included in the differential diagnosis.     

Balloon catheter dilatation of stenotic common bile duct anastomoses in the pig. A preliminary investigation

Fibrotic stenosing anastomoses of the common bile duct were surgically created in pigs in order to investigate the effects of percutaneous transhepatic balloon catheter dilatation. In a group of 6 animals, not treated with balloon dilatation, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and microscopic examination of the stricture were performed 5 to 25 weeks postoperatively. A persistent stenosis and slight to moderate fibrosis of the bile duct wall and peribiliary tissue were observed. In 5 animals the stenotic anastomosis was dilated 4 to 10 weeks postoperatively and this resulted in widening of the stricture and necrosis of the mucosa at the stricture site. Rupture of the fibrotic tissue in the bile duct wall and thrombus formation in the peribiliary veins also occurred in one of these 5 animals. Short-term follow-up in 3 animals 4 to 6 weeks after balloon dilatation showed almost complete fibrotic healing and partial re-stenosis of the anastomoses.     

肝细胞癌合并胆管癌栓的影像表现

目的 探讨胆管癌栓的影像表现,以提高影像诊断水平.方法 回顾性分析经手术病理证实的肝细胞癌(HCC)胆管癌栓13例患者资料,其中3例进行了CT和MR检查,2例仅行CT检查,8例仅行MR检查,7例进行了MR胰胆管成像检查,13例均进行了超声检查.采用四格表Fisher 确切概率检验方法比较超声与CT、MR诊断HCC胆管癌栓的准确性.结果 13例HCC肿瘤及胆管癌栓均在CT或MRI上显示.4例胆管癌栓在CT上表现为胆管内软组织块影,动脉期可见癌栓轻度增强,癌栓远端胆管扩张.11例胆管癌栓在T1 WI上均呈稍低信号,T2 WI为稍高信号,增强后可见轻、中度强化.MR胰胆管成像上胆管癌栓表现为:胆管阻塞中断、狭窄或不规则充盈缺损伴有梗阻上方胆管扩张,胆管突然截断或呈"鼠尾"状(5例);肝内胆管扩张,癌栓充满整个胆总管.胆总管不显示(2例).超声检查准确诊断胆管癌栓7例,误、漏诊6例.CT、MRI准确诊断12例,误诊4例,超声与CT、MRI诊断胆管癌栓差异无统计学意义(P=0.270).结论 CT或MRI对诊断HCC合并胆管癌栓及明确癌栓范围有价值.     

Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis and bile duct stenosis by magnetic resonance cholangiogram

We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the diagnosis of bile duct calculi and stenosis. Two-dimensional fast spin echo (FSE) MR cholangiograms were performed using torso multicoil array as a surface coil and respiratory triggering in 50 patients suspected of having bile duct disease. Coronal and axial images were acquired and reviewed prospectively by two radiologists. Direct cholangiographic correlation (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP], intraoperative cholangiogram, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram) and surgery were available for comparison and were reviewed by two radiologists. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MRC in diagnosing bile duct dilatation, choledocholithiasis and stenosis were evaluated. It yielded a sensitivity and a specificity of 100% in diagnosing bile duct dilatation. In the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, MRC yielded a sensitivity of 95%, a specificity and an accuracy of 96%. Bile duct stenosis was diagnosed with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. We concluded that MRC exhibited high accuracy in diagnosing bile duct stenosis and choledocholithiasis.     

经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术后胆管损伤的临床意义

目的 观察经导管肝动脉化疗栓塞术（TACE）治疗肝脏恶性肿瘤后继发胆管损伤的发生率、影响因素和临床过程.方法 对1240例患者做TACE 2 680次,术前影像学检查均无明确胆系异常表现,18例于术后3周～3个月出现胆管损伤并发症.采用回顾性调查,观察TACE术后胆管损伤的发生率、临床表现、转归以及影响因素.结果肝转移性肿瘤TACE后胆管损伤的发生率为8.8%（13/148）,肝细胞性肝癌（HCC）组为0.5%（5/1092）.胆管损伤的影像学表现有局灶性胆管扩张4例、多发性肝内胆管扩张8例、囊性病灶或胆汁瘤6例.3例多灶胆管损伤表现为轻度黄疸,2例对保守治疗反应良好,1例于出现黄疸后2周死于肝功能衰竭.4例胆汁瘤合并感染,3例采取经皮穿刺置管引流和抗生素治疗,其中2例死于感染囊腔破入腹腔、继发化脓性腹膜炎,1例治愈;1例仅用抗生素治愈.与胆管损有关的病死率为16.7%（3/18）.其余11例无相关症状.统计学分析显示：无肝硬变背景的肝转移瘤患者TACE术后胆管损伤发生率明显高于有肝硬变的HCC患者（P〈0.01）;其他高危因素有肿瘤为少血供型（P〈0.01）和用铂类制剂与碘油乳化后做超选择性栓塞（P〈0.01）.结论 认识TACE后继发胆管损伤的影像学表现可避免误诊,特别是肿瘤复发.对存在胆管损伤高危因素患者,适当减少碘油乳化的化疗剂（特别是铂类）剂量,有可能降低胆系缺血损伤并发症.     

Sonography of the common bile duct: value of the right anterior oblique view.

The common hepatic and proximal common bile ducts (common duct) lie anteriorly and generally to the right of the portal vein in the porta hepatis. This constant anatomic relationship can be used to demonstrate the common duct and to differentiate it from the portal vein by gray scale ultrasonography. The patient is scanned longitudinally from the right anterior abdominal wall with the ultrasound beam directed posteromedially until two tubular structures are demonstrated in the porta hepatis. The more anterior tubular structure in this projection is the common duct. If the common duct is less than 3 mm in diameter, it may not be clearly delineated. In these cases the absence of common duct dilatation can be inferred. The usefulness of this view for detecting common duct dilatation was evaluated in a series of 101 consecutive cases proven by surgery, autopsy, or cholangiography. The overall accuracy was 96% (four false negative studies; no false positives). We conclude that sonography should be the imaging procedure of choice for suspected extrahepatic biliary obstruction if the serum bilirubin level precludes intravenous cholangiography.