NEW TECHNIQUE USING INTRADUCTAL ULTRASONOGRAPHY FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF BILE-DUCT CANCER

We investigated the extent to which BDca can be visualized and diagnos ed via a percutaneous fistula using IDUS. IDUS was performed in 42 cas es, including 15 of normal bile ducts, 12 of choledocholithiasis, and 15 of BDca. The depth of invasion of the BDca was diagnosed with a 93% accuracy rate by visualizing the EP or MA or both. The infiltration o f BDca into the surrounding organs was clearly visualized and diagnose d with an accuracy of 100% in the RHA, 93% in the PV, and 93% in the p ancreas. These accuracy rates were higher than those obtained by compu ted tomography or angiography. We believe, therefore, that IDUS should be further studied as a diagnostic modality for staging malignancy in the biliary field.