Berkman W A, Bishop A F, Palagallo G L, Cashman M D
Department of Radiology, Methodist Medical Center of Illinois, Peoria 61636.
Radiology. 1988 May;167(2):453-5. doi: 10.1148/radiology.167.2.3357955.
In 17 patients with common bile duct calculi, percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilation of the distal common bile duct and the ampulla of Vater (hepaticopancreatic ampulla) was performed. The calculi were pushed into the duodenum with the catheter, and all were removed without significant complications. This method of calculus removal is an effective alternative to surgery or endoscopic sphincterotomy.