Radiology, Vol 145, 289-295, Copyright © 1982 by Radiological Society of North America
Therapeutic alternatives in the treatment of intrahepatic biliary obstruction
GK McLean, EJ Ring and DB Freiman
Intrahepatic biliary obstruction was treated in 60 patients (49 with
cholangiocarcinoma and 11 with sclerosing cholangitis) who were classified
according to the upper limit of their obstruction (Group I, proximal common
hepatic duct; Group 2, right and left main hepatic ducts; Group 3,
intrahepatic bile ducts). Thirty-six patients underwent percutaneous
transhepatic biliary drainage, and 14 underwent catheterization through a
T-tube track, Five of this latter group had the T-tube placed to establish
a route of access for later interventional radiologic manipulations. Since
most diseases that produce intrahepatic biliary obstruction are
progressive, the use of any single approach is limited. The advantages of a
surgically created route of access combined with the flexibility of
interventional radiologic techniques help to maximize the therapy and
extend the palliation that many of these patients receive.
