Bile duct tumours: prolonged survival by radiological management of T-tubes

Carcinoma of the common bile duct is generally a slow-growing tumour which causes death by hepatic failure and ascending cholangitis secondary to obstruction. Internal drainage by surgical placement of a T-tube bypassing the tumour is widely employed, but survival times are generally short, averaging 9.9 months. The interventional radiologist can offer considerable prolongation of life with reduced hospitalization by means of percutaneous tube cleaning and catheter replacement. A case is presented where survival has been prolonged to 37 months by routine radiological catheter care.