Skip navigation | ||
|
||
Medical Encyclopedia |
|
Other encyclopedia topics: | A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9 |
Contents of this page: | |
|
Alternative names Return to top
Bile duct strictureDefinition Return to top
Biliary stricture involves an abnormal narrowing of the biliary duct that transports bile (a chemical used in digestion) from the liver to the small intestine.Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Biliary strictures are often caused by surgical trauma to the bile ducts, for example, after surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).
Other causes of this condition are blunt injury to the intestine, pancreatitis, breakdown of the duct by a gallstone in the bile duct, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and cancer of the bile duct.
Risk factors include previous biliary surgery, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, or injury to the intestine.
Symptoms Return to top
Signs and tests Return to top
Tests that show stricture in the bile duct:
Blood tests that indicate abnormal function of biliary system:
This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:
Treatment Return to top
Either endoscopic (a tube called an endoscope is passed through a small incision) or percutaneous (through the skin) dilation of the stricture may be used, depending on the location of the stricture.
The objective of surgical therapy is to re-establish the flow of bile from the liver into the intestine. Depending on the location, the stricture may be surgically removed and the biliary duct rejoined with the small intestine or the hepatic duct.
For some patients, a stent is placed across the bile duct stricture to keep it open.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Treatment is usually successful.Complications Return to top
Recurrent inflammation of the biliary duct and stricture can occur in some patients. Patients are at risk for infection developing above the stricture. Long-standing strictures can lead to cirrhosis.
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms recur after pancreatitis, cholecystectomy, or other biliary surgery.
Update Date: 7/16/2004 Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Home | Health Topics | Drug Information | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | News | Directories | Other Resources | |
Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Selection Guidelines U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services |
Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |