Some lesions of the biliary tract: Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis and other problems

Abstract

T HE bihary tract confronts the surgeon with a wide range of chaIIenging problems. The purpose of this communication is to present a series of patients whose biIiary lesions were of special interest. These cases incIuded the following: (I) Stones of the common duct (retained and recurrent stones above a stenotic sphincter of Odd i, spontaneous passage of a retained stone, “stone” simulated on cholangiogram by the lobe of the Iiver) ; (2) strictures of the common duct (operative injury stricture with stone formation proximaIIy, congenital stricture bypassed with intrahepatic cholangiocholecystoenterostomy en Roux Y, false stricture on choIangiogram; (3) idiopathic retroperitonea1 fibrosis; (4) biliary fistula as common cause of Iow sodium syndrome.