Usefulness of operative planning based on 3-dimensional CT cholangiography for biliary malignancies

The complexity of hepatic hilar anatomy is an obstacle to precise diagnosis of tumor spread and appropriate operative planning for biliary malignancies. Three-dimensional (3D) cholangiography and angiography may overcome this obstacle and facilitate curative resection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of 3D CT cholangiography on operative planning and outcomes of biliary malignancies.

From 2009 to 2014, 3DCT cholangiography was performed on 49 patients with biliary malignancies requiring major hepatic resection and extrahepatic bile duct resection. The 3D cholangiogram was merged with 3D angiography and portography to create an all-in-one 3D image of the hepatic hilum. The cutting line of the bile duct and the type of liver resection were determined based on the spatial relationship between tumor spread and the landmark vessels. The necessity of vascular reconstruction was also evaluated. Preoperative imaging and operative findings were compared. Operative curability was compared with that of the historical cohort before the introduction of 3D cholangiography.

Histologic examination of the bile duct stump showed a negative margin in 39 (80%), carcinoma in situ in 7 (14%), and invasive cancer (IC) in 3 patients (6%) on the first cutting. The IC-free rate (94%) on the first cutting was superior to that in the historical cohort (80%; P = .02). The necessity for portal and arterial reconstruction was predicted with 98 and 94% accuracy, respectively.

We found 3D cholangiography to provide accurate information about hilar anatomy and plays a role in facilitating adequate operative planning.