Percutaneous recanalization and stents of the biliary tree

Biliary obstruction can be treated by surgical, endoscopic or percutaneous methods. Interventional radiology has the following recanalization methods to offer: external-internal drainage, balloon dilatation of strictures and permanent stent placement. Metallic expandable stents are becoming very popular. In many centers, endoscopic interventions of the biliary tract have replaced the percutaneous route as a primary procedure. Combined radiologic and endoscopic methods are helpful in complicated interventions.