Percutaneous biliary drainage in patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the technical success and complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts.


METHODS
Between January 1, 1996, and August 31, 1998, 130 percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage procedures were performed on patients with nondilated intrahepatic bile ducts. This group comprised primarily patients who had received liver transplants or who had sustained iatrogenic bile duct injuries. Access in all procedures was performed using a one-step system consisting of a 21-gauge needle and an .018-inch guidewire. The technical success and complications of the procedures were evaluated.


RESULTS
Percutaneous biliary drainage was successful in 117 (90%) of 130 attempts. In four patients, two attempts were required to place a drainage catheter. The overall complication rate was 9%. There were seven (5%) minor complications and five major complications (4%). No procedure-related deaths occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous biliary drainage can be performed with a high success rate in patients with nondilated intrahepatic ducts. The incidence and types of complications in this population were similar to those reported in patients with intrahepatic ductal dilatation.
Funaki
B
B
Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Hospitals, IL 60637, USA.
Zaleski
G X
GX
Straus
C A
CA
Leef
J A
JA
Funaki
A N
AN
Lorenz
J
J
Farrell
T A
TA
Rosenblum
J D
JD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000293:injuries*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011677:Punctures / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome