Common bile duct stricture without obvious cause

Common bile duct strictures without apparent cause are unusual, yet probably occur more often than has been recognized. Whether this condition represents a different cause of biliary stricture or is just a forme fruste of recognized injuries or causes is not clear. Nonetheless, the surgeon should be aware that such isolated strictures without obvious cause may occur. The common causes of biliary stricture should be ruled out for diagnostic and therapeutic reasons. The management of such strictures is the same as for strictures due to the generally recognized causes.