The effect of endoscopic ultrasonography in treatment of distal inflammatory biliary stricture: a retrospective analysis of 165 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) are relatively new alternatives to surgery for the treatment of benign lesions in the biliary duct. This study was to explore the value of EUS in the treatment of distal inflammatory biliary stricture.

METHODOLOGY

165 patients with distal inflammatory biliary stricture underwent EUS, according to EUS, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS), endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage and endoscopic biliary dilation were performed. The clinical data about therapies and recovery of 22 patients was recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

In 165 patients, 163 cases underwent ERCP and intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) successfully following EUS. Total 356 ERCPs were performed with 87 biliary duct stents inserted. After EUS the liver function, the thickness and pressure of biliary duct were decreased compared to these before EUS. The complication rate was 5.1% (18/356). After a follow-up of 27.6±10.6 months, strictures had not recurred in 121 patients after stents removed.

CONCLUSION

EUS for distal inflammatory biliary stricture can be selected as a safe, effective and minimally invasive therapeutic method.