Placement of a metallic biliary endoprosthesis via cholecystostomy.

Abstract

Relief of bile duct obstruction can be accomplished by surgical or percutaneous cholecystostomy. Subsequent conversion to internal drainage with an endoprosthesis is difficult because of the manipulations and dilatation necessary to traverse the cystic duct. Recently, metallic biliary endoprostheses with a small-caliber delivery system that requires limited dilatation and can be inserted through small tracks have become available. We present a patient who had transcystic duct placement of a metallic endoprosthesis in the common bile duct for malignant obstruction due to metastatic breast cancer.