Biliary Interventions

On this page

Biliary Anatomy & Access - Gut's Golden Pipes

  • Intrahepatic Ducts: Right & Left hepatic ducts converge to form Common Hepatic Duct (CHD).
  • Extrahepatic Ducts:
    • Gallbladder → Cystic Duct.
    • Cystic Duct + CHD → Common Bile Duct (CBD).
    • CBD + Pancreatic Duct → Ampulla of Vater → Duodenum.
  • Percutaneous Access:
    • Right-sided: Mid-axillary line, transhepatic, commonest.
    • Left-sided: Subxiphoid, for isolated left ductal system.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram

⭐ The most common percutaneous biliary access is via a right mid-axillary transhepatic approach, targeting a peripheral right hepatic duct (segments 6 or 7).

Indications & Contraindications - Green Light, Red Light

⭐ PTBD is often preferred for high biliary obstructions (e.g., Klatskin tumors), while ERCP is typically first-line for distal obstructions.

Biliary Procedures - The IR Plumber's Toolkit

  • Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD): Decompresses obstructed biliary system.

    • Access: Typically Rt. mid-axillary, US/fluoroscopy guided.
    • Drainage Types: Internal-external (across stricture) or purely external.
    • Key Uses: Malignant/benign obstructive jaundice, acute cholangitis, pre-operative decompression.
  • Biliary Stenting: Maintains biliary duct patency post-dilatation or for palliation.

    • Plastic Stents: Temporary, smaller diameter; for benign strictures, require frequent exchanges.
    • Self-Expanding Metallic Stents (SEMS): Larger diameter, longer patency; for malignant obstructions.
      • Covered SEMS: Prevent tumour ingrowth, potentially removable; higher migration risk.
      • Uncovered SEMS: Embed into wall, less migration; risk of tumour ingrowth/epithelial hyperplasia causing occlusion.
  • Percutaneous Cholecystostomy (PC): Drains gallbladder in high-risk patients.

    • Main Indication: Acute cholecystitis when surgery is contraindicated.
    • Technique: US-guided transhepatic or transperitoneal catheter placement.
  • Other Interventions:

    • Biliary Dilatation: Balloon catheters for benign/malignant strictures.
    • Stone Extraction: Using baskets (e.g., Dormia) or balloons, often via T-tube tract or PTBD access.

Biliary drainage catheter placement

⭐ In malignant biliary obstruction, SEMS (Self-Expanding Metallic Stents) offer superior long-term patency compared to plastic stents.

Complications & Management - Navigating Rough Waters

  • Hemorrhage:
    • Arterial: Angioembolization.
    • Venous: Pressure, often self-limiting.
  • Sepsis/Cholangitis:
    • IV antibiotics.
    • Ensure/optimize biliary drainage.

    ⭐ Acute cholangitis (Charcot's triad: fever, jaundice, RUQ pain) is a critical risk; manage with IV antibiotics & urgent biliary drainage.

  • Bile Leak/Biloma:
    • Percutaneous drainage of collection.
    • Consider stent adjustment/new placement.
  • Pancreatitis:
    • Usually mild; supportive care (NPO, analgesia).
  • Pneumothorax (supracostal access):
    • Observe if small; chest tube if symptomatic/large.
  • Catheter Issues (Dislodgement/Occlusion):
    • Fluoroscopic repositioning.
    • Flush; if fails, exchange catheter.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • PTBD is vital for biliary obstruction if ERCP fails or is contraindicated.
  • Right-sided PTBD access is standard, targeting peripheral ducts to minimize risks.
  • Key PTBD complications: hemobilia, sepsis, bile leak, pneumothorax.
  • Metallic stents offer superior long-term patency over plastic stents in malignant strictures.
  • Percutaneous cholecystostomy drains acute cholecystitis in surgically high-risk patients.
  • Rendezvous technique combines percutaneous and endoscopic routes for challenging biliary access.

Practice Questions: Biliary Interventions

Test your understanding with these related questions

Liver transplant for which of the following conditions will require a duct-to-jejunal anastomosis rather than a duct-to-duct anastomosis?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Biliary Interventions

1/8

A carotid cavernous fistula requires a definitive treatment, which currently involves the _____ technique using a balloon or coil

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

A carotid cavernous fistula requires a definitive treatment, which currently involves the _____ technique using a balloon or coil

endovascular

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start Your Free Trial