Intraductal sonography of biliary varices associated with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction.

We report a case of biliary varices associated with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO) that were identified via intraductal sonography during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. A 35-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of jaundice that had developed during an episode of EHPVO. Laboratory data showed obstructive jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed some bile duct stenosis with smooth stricture along the extrahepatic biliary duct. Intraductal sonographic examination revealed numerous vessels around the lower and upper parts of the bile duct. Compression by these vessels was suspected as the cause of the biliary stricture.