Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

The use of ultrasound-guided PTCD in 49 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma was evaluated. In 11 patients PTCD was performed as a preoperative measure either to outline tumor extension or to treat cholangitis. Postoperatively, the catheters were used to stent bilioenteric anastomoses and served to guide iridium wires for radiotherapy in nine patients with nonresectable tumor or tumor residue after resection. In 20 inoperable patients with tumor diameter smaller than 3 cm and in whom at least one catheter could be manipulated through the tumor, PTCD was combined with internal and external radiotherapy. The remaining 18 patients were palliated with PTCD only. In 29 patients (59%) complete drainage of the biliary system was achieved. Twenty-seven of these had complete internal drainage using endoprostheses. Two had a combination of an endoprosthesis and external catheter drainage. Of the 20 patients (41%) with incomplete drainage, 12 had endoprostheses, four had a catheter and an endoprosthesis, and in the remaining four external catheter drainage was the optimum result. PTCD was successful in treating eight of ten patients with cholangitis and 12 of 16 patients with pruritus. Procedure-related complication occurred in 11 patients (22%). With the exception of one, all complications could be classified as minor, requiring only conservative measures. A major complication was seen in a patient with ascitic fluid and severe cholangitis. PTCD caused a bacterial peritonitis, of which the patient died. The median survival of patients treated with PTCD alone only was 4 months. A significant increase in survival was noted in patients treated with PTCD and radiotherapy (median survival 8 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)