A new method for treating carcinomatous biliary obstruction with intracatheter radium

We describe a new method for relieving biliary obstruction due to malignant solid tumors. The method consists of placement of radium needles in a Ring biliary drainage catheter for three days. After removing the radium needles, the catheter is left in place to allow for repair of irradiated tissues, then it is removed. The object is to leave the patient with a patent biliary tree without a biliary drainage prosthesis. The clinical course of six patients treated by this method is described, and the autopsy findings in three cases are outlined. Three patients died with a serum total bilirubin ranging from 1--4.5 mg/100 ml, two to three months after removing the drainage catheter. Two patients died before the bile drainage catheter could be removed. One patient is alive with a bile drainage catheter in place. Possible modifications in technique and catheters are being considered.