[Interventional radiology for bile duct stones]

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Biliary Endoscopy

Background:

• Bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis) pose a significant clinical challenge.
• Traditional treatments can be invasive, carrying risks of complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a percutaneous technique for expelling bile duct stones.
• To assess the use of papillary balloon dilation for stone removal.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 365 patients with bile duct calculi.
• Percutaneous expulsion of stones into the duodenum via balloon dilation of the papilla.
• Indwelling T-tube used in 102 cases for residual stone expulsion.

Main Results:

• High success rate: 91.5% on first attempt, 94.3% after second.
• Effective resolution of residual lithiasis (99%) and primary lithiasis (91%).
• Low mortality rate (1.6%) with 23 major complications.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous anterograde evacuation of bile duct stones is effective, safe, and nontraumatic.
• The technique preserves sphincter integrity.
• It represents a viable alternative to surgical choledochotomy when performed by experienced interventional radiologists.