[Endoscopic intraductal radiotherapy of high bile-duct carcinoma]

A new method for palliative intraductal radiotherapy of high malignant bile duct occlusion was used in three patients. It consists of insertion of a 4 cm x 0,6 mm iridium-192 wire into the stenosis caused by the tumour. It uses a modified nasobiliary probe which is guided endoscopically retrograde transpapillary. A radiation output of 0.85 Gy/min (85 rd/min) and a requested therapeutic dosage of 60 Gy (6000 rd) at a distance of 0.5 cm lead to in situ position of the wire for about 70 hours. During that time bile flow is effected via the nasobiliary probe. The advantage over previously described methods (percutaneous transhepatic, surgical after installation of U-drainage) lies in a smaller complication rate and improved follow-up treatment as change of the endoprosthesis or repeat irradiation is not associated with renewed tissue trauma.