Inflammatory conditions of the common bile duct.

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory conditions of the biliary tree are infrequently reported with the exception of sclerosing cholangitis. These conditions, especially when affecting the common bile duct (CBD), can be mistaken for tumours; their existence should be considered in the differential diagnosis of biliary lesions and, in particular, biliary strictures. Few descriptions of inflammatory conditions exist in the published literature.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was undertaken of the last 20 years of published literature.

RESULTS

Potential aetiological factors include infection, infestation, traumatic bile duct injury, foreign body or gallstone reaction and the host inflammatory response.

CONCLUSIONS

These conditions typically mimic malignant tumours of the CBD but knowledge of the aforementioned processes might alter the surgical approach to biliary strictures (especially after previous cholecystectomy), with greater emphasis on surgical exploration.