[The radiological diagnosis of non-calculous biliary duct obstruction (author's transl)]

A diagnosis of obstructive biliary duct disease was achieved in 80% of 63 patients using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous trans-jugular cholangiography (PTJC) alone or in combination, and taking account of the clinical features. In obstructions of themajor intrahepatic ducts and of the hepatic ducts (type I) a smooth occlusion indicated a carcinoma. Narrow forms of stenoses could not be differentiated, but with a history of previous operation, fibrous strictures were most likely. Obstructions at the point of confluence (type II) showed smooth narrowing if due to fibrous strictures, whereas carcinomas produced an irregular termination. Obstructions of the common bile ducts (type III) resembled those of type II. A smooth termination within the pancreas indicates a pancreatic carcinoma. Inflammatory disease in the head of the pancreas usually produces a tubular stenosis, while cysts of the pancreas result in smooth impressions and displacement.