STRATEGIES FOR IMAGING BILIARY NEOPLASMS

Biliary tract neoplasms are rare, develop in either intra- or extrahep atic locations, and are represented by a spectrum of imaging character istics. These tumors may be imaged using a variety of traditional meth ods, such as ERCP, PTC, ultrasound, or CT, and some newer innovative c ross-sectional techniques, such as MR- or CT-cholangiography. The choi ce of imaging technique depends on whether the study is for diagnostic , staging, or therapeutic purposes. Because these tumors are frequentl y small, secondary features such as intrahepatic ductal dilatation or even hepatic metastases, may be the initial finding on screening studi es. Benign tumors, postsurgical strictures, or even biliary sludge may mimic features of malignant tumors, and the radiologist must be aware of these potential sources of interpretative error.