Air cholangiogram: a new technique for biliary imaging during ERCP.
BACKGROUND
Palliation of patients with malignant hilar stenosis by stent insertion is fraught with risk of cholangitis because of contrast injection in the undrained segment.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of unilateral metal stenting in type II and III malignant hilar biliary obstruction by using air as a contrast medium.


METHODS
Prospective, uncontrolled, single center pilot study.


METHODS
Tertiary care referral center.


METHODS
Cohort of 17 patients with malignant hilar obstruction.


METHODS
A single metallic stent was inserted in type II and III malignant hilar obstruction by using air as a contrast medium. Patients were evaluated weekly up to 1 month after stent placement.


METHODS
Successful implantation, successful drainage, early complications, procedure-related mortality, 30-day mortality.


RESULTS
Successful stent placement and drainage was achieved in 100% of the patients (17 of 17). No patient developed cholangitis or died within 30 days of the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Small cohort of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Air cholangiography provides a safe and effective roadmap for unilateral metallic stenting in type II and III malignant hilar biliary obstruction.
Sud
Randhir
R
Department of Gastroenterology, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Puri
Rajesh
R
Hussain
Sabir
S
Kumar
Mandhir
M
Thawrani
Amit
A
D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D002758:Cholangiography / Q000379:methods*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D002780:Cholestasis, Intrahepatic / Q000628:therapy*; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents
D003287:Contrast Media