Radiology, Vol 159, 53-58, Copyright © 1986 by Radiological Society of North America
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with a balloon catheter: analysis of 100 consecutive cases
H Yoshimoto, S Ikeda, M Tanaka, S Matsumoto and F Nakayama
One hundred patients whose standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiographic
studies gave poor visualization of the biliary tract were investigated
using a balloon catheter introduced into the common bile duct by
duodenoscopy to block contrast material leakage. Full diagnostic
visualization was obtained in 90 patients, leading to accurate diagnosis in
88. In two other patients, the diagnosis was not confirmed. In ten patients
the bile ducts were not filled because of balloon size (seven), vagovagal
reflex (two), and fistula (one). There were no serious clinical
complications. Laboratory studies following the procedure disclosed
impaired liver function (three patients), hyperamylasemia (two), and
leukocytosis (two) of 41 patients tested, and positive blood culture in
three of 81 patients studied. When standard retrograde cholangiography
fails to visualize the biliary tract, endoscopic retrograde balloon
catheter cholangiography is a useful diagnostic procedure, associated with
acceptable minor complications.
