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[Percutaneous extraction of pigment lithiasis of the choledochus in an infant]
Archives Francaises De Pediatrie
|April 1, 1986
Insights
A minimally invasive technique successfully removed a pigment gallstone from an infant's common bile duct. This percutaneous approach offers a non-surgical option for pediatric bile duct stones, leading to full recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Interventional Radiology
- Biliary Tract Surgery
Background:
- Pigment gallstones in the common bile duct are rare in infants.
- Surgical intervention has historically been the primary treatment for pediatric choledocholithiasis.
Observation:
- A 2-month-old infant presented with a pigment gallstone in the common bile duct.
- The stone was successfully extracted using a percutaneous transhepatic approach under ultrasound guidance.
Findings:
- The non-surgical, percutaneous gallstone extraction was technically successful.
- Clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up over 19 months confirmed complete resolution without recurrence.
Implications:
- Percutaneous extraction represents a novel, potentially safer alternative to surgery for infant common bile duct stones.
- This approach may reduce the need for invasive procedures in pediatric patients with primary choledocholithiasis.
Abstract:
The authors present the first report of a pigment gallstone of the common bile duct in a 2 month-old infant treated in a non-surgical manner. The gallstone extraction was percutaneous, by a small catheter introduced in the biliary tract under ultrasound control. The clinical and ultrasonographic follow-up (19 months) confirmed complete recovery. This new therapeutic modality might avoid surgery for primary common bile duct cholelithiasis.