Diagnosis and treatment of portal biliopathy.
BACKGROUND
Portal biliopathy producing intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary ductal abnormalities from portal hypertension, particularly with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) is common. A majority of these patients are asymptomatic, but occasionally there is symptomatic biliary obstruction, and cholangitis and choledocholithiasis.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the principles of diagnosis and treatment of portal biliopathy.


METHODS
To review the literature of portal biliopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic sphincterotomy, stone extraction and supportive drainage could effectively relieve cholangitis when jaundice is associated with common bile duct stones. Definitive decompressive portal-system vein shunting operation and choledocho-jejunostomy are sometimes required when biliary obstruction is recurrent and progressive.
He
Zhen-Ping
ZP
Southwest Hepatobiliary Surgery Institute, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China. hezhenping@yahoo.com.cn
Fan
Lin-Jun
LJ
D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D006801:Humans; D011169:Portal Vein; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications*