INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY OF THE BILIARY-TRACT

Interventional radiology provides a range of management options applic able to a broad spectrum of patients with biliary tract disorders. Thi s review highlights the importance of these procedures, and illustrate s their safety and effectiveness. Percutaneous transcatheter decompres sion has a well-established role in the management of patients with be nign and malignant biliary obstruction. The advent of metallic stents has greatly increased the value of these techniques. Patients with bil iary tract calculi can be successfully treated with a variety of percu taneous techniques, obviating surgery and providing a useful alternati ve to endoscopic methods. Finally, percutaneous cholecystostomy has ev olved as a valuable adjunct in the treatment of calculus cholecystitis , as well as providing the definitive cure for many patients with acal culous cholecystitis.