Abstract：Objective: To analyze percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography(PTC) imaging features of bile duct carcinoma thrombus. Materials and Methods: PTC images of 27 patients(the mean age was 49.81±7.27 years old) with histologically proved to have bile duct carcinoma thrombus were reviewed retrospectively. All 27 PTC were performed under the guidance of ultrasound or DSA by selective unilateral or bilateral intrahepatic bile duct puncture. Internal or external drainage was kept until repeated PTC was performed after 3~5 d to observe the imaging changes. Results: Filling defects in bile ducts were seen in all 27 patients. The filling defects and involved bile ducts showed expanding appearance in 26 cases. Proximal bile ducts to the involved parts were dilated like soft canes in 24 cases and fallen branches in 3 cases. Distal bile ducts showed no dilation in any of the case. The contours of filling defects were clearly shown in 9 cases and partially shown in 18 cases. Twenty-one cases showed constant filling defects while 6 cases had shrunken filling defects after drainage. Three types were defined according to the involved range: Type Ⅰ, 2 case; Type Ⅱ, 22 cases; Type Ⅲ, 3 cases. Conclusion: Bile duct tumor thrombus have some typical PTC imaging features, PTC is useful in detecting and diagnosing bile duct tumor thrombus.
2014, Vol. 25 
