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New Cholangiographic

Sign of Common

Opacification

of Intrahepatic

EDWARD

AND

B. BLACK1

JOSEPH

A previously undescrlbed sign of common bile duct obstructlon durIng intravenous cholangiography-Initial visualization of proximal intrahepatic ducts - was observed in 26 patients with surgically proven obstructive disease of the distal cornmon duct. In all cases, opacification of intrahepatic biliary radicles occurred on standard Interval films prior to visualIzation of the extrahepatic common bile duct, the reverse of the normal sequence. The abnormal opaclfication pattern reflects stasis of bile flow in the presence of distal obstruction and seems analogous to the urographic finding of opacified intrarenal calyces as the initial manifestation of distal ureteral

obstruction.

Recognition

gIographic opacificatlon layed films to confirm obstructIon.

of the alteration the

Bile Duct Obstruction:

sequence diagnosis

in the initial

Initial

Ducts

T. FERRUCCI,

JR.1

study. The preponderance of benign conditions in this probably reflects the tendency of malignant strictures

velop early high grade nous cholangiography.

obstruction,

obviating

fruitful

series to de-

intrave-

Preliminary observations of the dynamics of unimpeded biliany contrast excretion were accumulated from innumerable routine examinations considered normal radiographically. (Ap-

proximately 10 intravenous cholangiograms have been performed weekly in our department during the 5 year period of this

study.)

fication

cholan-

100

More

detailed

sequences

analysis

was carried

cholangiograms

of normal

in which

the

official

normal or negative. Excretion patterns basis of the 10, 20, and 30 mm plain

signals the need for deof a distal choledochal

and characterized

and scored

biliary

duct

out in a retrospective

as follows:

opaci-

series

interpretation

of was

were analyzed on the sequential radiographs (1) initial

simultaneous

opacification

of intrahepatic ducts and common bile duct; (2) initial opacification of common duct; and (3) initial opacification of intrahepatic ducts alone. Intravenous cholangiography was performed with the patient

Introduction

Little has been added to the radiographic criteria for the diagnosis of common bile duct obstruction by intravenous cholangiography since the initial comprehensive descriptions of the technique by Wise and co-workers [1-3]. Signs useful in the indirect diagnosis of common duct obstruction include dilatation and loss of the normal tapering of the duct, delayed common duct opacification, and an abnormal time/density of opacification relationship, with more intense opacification of the common duct at 120 mm than at 60 mm [1-3]. Direct diagnosis of common duct obstruction can be made only by demonstration of the obstructing entity (e.g., focal stnictune, intraluminal filling defect). This report draws attention to the dynamic patterns of biliary contrast flow during intravenous cholangiography and records a previously undescnibed cholangiographic sign of common duct obstruction-initial opacification of the intrahepatic biliary ducts. Subjects

and

in a supine

during

routine

intravenous

fusion

position

using

and at 10, 20, and 30 mm after

a mixture

of 100 ml of

infusion

was begun.

were obtained

Linear

at 30 mm,

Results

Contrasting were identified schematically Normal

initial biliany duct opacification sequences in normal and abnormal cases and are portrayed in figure 1.

Opacification

Patterns

Visualization of the unobstructed biliary tree was shown on interval plain films either as simultaneous opacification of intrahepatic radicles and the common duct proper (fig. 1A) or, with lesser degrees of contrast excretion, opacification of the common duct alone with delayed or negligible opacification of intrahepatic nadides (fig. 1B). Simultaneous opacification of both intrahepatic and common bile duct occurred with considerably greater frequency (72 of 100 cases) than opacification of the common duct alone (28 of 100). It is likely that the poorer opacification in the latter group reflected some cases with minor degrees of hepatic cellular dysfunction, thus decreasing biliary contrast excretion. It is also of note that both normal excretion sequences were occasionally observed in other patients with nonobstructive biliary duct disease, especially with small common duct calculi and low grade peniampullary stenosis.

Methods

cholangiographic

oblique

tomograms of the right upper quadrant and delayed films when indicated.

This study is based on a review of radiographs and hospital records of 26 patients demonstrating the cholangiographic sign of initial intrahepatic duct opacification. All cases were observed

right

meglumine iodipamide (Cholegrafin, Squibb), containing 5.1 g of iodine and 10.3 g of meglumine iodipamide, administered by slow intravenous infusion over a period of about 10 mm. Plain films of the right upper quadrant were obtained prior to the in-

examina-

tion over a 5 year period (1971-1976) at Massachusetts General Hospital. Each case had symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings suggesting common duct obstruction. Partial common duct obstruction, found at laparotomy in all cases, resulted from choledocholithiasis and/or benign strictures in 22 cases and from neoplasm in four. Numerous other patients with nonobstructing common duct calculi or low grade stenosis at the choledochoduodenal junction who did not show initial opacification of intrahepatic ducts were not included in the Received

April 21 , 1977; accepted after revision September 20, 1977. at the annual meeting of the American Roentgen Ray Society, Boston, September 1977. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts J. T. Ferrucci, Jr. Presented ,

Am J Roentgenol

© 1978 American

130:61-65, January 1978 Roentgen Ray Society

61

021 14. Address

0361 -803X/78/01

reprint

00-0061

requests

$02.00

to

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62

BLACK

AND

FERRUCCI

Fig. 1 . opacification ducts

Patterns of biliary duct . Normal unobstructed show either simultaneous vi-

sualization

-

of

intrahepatic

radicles

and common bile duct (a) on opacification of the common duct alone (b). With obstructive biliary disease (C), visualization of slightly dilated intrahepatic radicles may precede or exceed degree of common duct filling, reversing normal sequence.

a

b NORMAL

Obstructive

Opacification

Patterns

When biliary obstruction was present and duct opacification was sufficient to yield diagnostic quality studies, a consistent alteration of the normal dynamics of contrast excretion was encountered. In these cases opacification of intrahepatic ducts occurred before visualization of the common bile duct, the reverse of the usual sequence (fig. 1C). In all 26 patients, intrahepatic duct opacification preceded or exceeded the degree of cornmon duct opacification and thus appeared early or isolated (figs. 2-4). This reversal of the normal opacification sequence did not occur in the normal sample group, nor was this encountered as a false positive effect during the period of the study. On the contrary, moderately high grade obstructive disease was invariably present when this sign was evident. Initial intrahepatic duct opacification was often appanent on the early plain film series but was frequently shown better with tomography. Although the time and density of detection of these intrahepatic nadicles varied with the degree of distal obstruction, they were often dilated with distention of secondand third-order branches. In several instances the increased volume of contrast medium within the smaller proximal ducts nendered them dramatically visible on plain films and initially gave the impression of an obstructing lesion at the level of the common hepatic duct or porta hepatis. However, in the majority of cases the significance of this altered opacification sequence was recognized as the study was carried out1 and appropriate delayed films were obtained

C ABNORMAL

to confirm tion.

the

presence

of distal

choledochal

obstnuc-

Discussion

The sole cholangiographic criterion of common duct obstruction based on functional considerations is the time-density retention concept advanced by Wise and co-workers 20 years ago [1-3]. That thesis held that increased contrast density within the common bile duct on a 2 hr film in reference to the density on a 1 hr film was indicative of partial obstruction of the common duct. The sign described here deals with the earlier stages of the examination-the intrahepatic ducts-and thereby extends the tenets of Wise and associates to patients with greater degrees of biliary obstruction. Initial visualization of the intrahepatic ducts is Undoubtedly related to stasis of the contrast agent associated with the increased intrabiliary pressure and decreased bile flow which accompany common duct obstruction [3-6]. The effect has a close analogy to intnavenous urography, where distal ureteral obstruction may be first manifested by the familiar initial opacification of a dilated intranenal collecting system with visualization of the remainder of the ureter to the site of distal obstruction. Both cases seem to be an expression of a more universal hydnodynamic phenomenon, namely, introduction of a low volume of contrast agent into a lange volume nonturbulent space. This results in nonmixing and accumulation in gravitationally dependent locations. Therefore, it is important to analyze not only the extrahepatic common duct during intravenous cholangiogna-

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NEW

SIGN

OF

BILE

DUCT

OBSTRUCTION

Fig. 2. -Isolated early intrahepatic duct opacification in distal common duct obstruction. A, Film at 10 mm showing intrahepatic radicles. B, Film at 45 mm disclosing faceted calculus obstructing distal common duct (arrow).

63

isolated

opacification

of dilated

Fig. 3. -Isolated intrahepatic duct opacification associated with calculus obstruction of biliary ducts in 59-year-old man with acute cholangitis. A, Film 30 mm after contrast infusion revealing opacification of bizarre intrahepatic duct structures containing lucent central defects. No common duct opacification is evident. B, Tomogram 3’/a hr after infusion disclosing marked diffuse duct dilatation and several intraluminal filling defects. At surgery, multiple common and intrahepatic duct calculi were found.

phy but, when common duct opacification is poor, to examine also the region of the liver itself for evidence of isolated small radicle opacification. When this appearance occurs, delayed serial filming is indicated for com-

plete evaluation of the extrahepatic biliary ducts. Awareness of this sign may prompt more careful scrutiny of cholangiognams with poor visualization in order to extract more subtle but still positive data.

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Fig. 4. -Early isolated intrahepatic duct visualization as sign of distal obstruction in 74-year-old woman with recurrent epigastnic pain, nausea, and vomiting. A, Plain film at 20 mm showing intrahepatic duct opacification without visualization of extrahepatic system. B, Tomogram at 30 mm showing marked dilatation of common duct with single large calculus in distal portion. At surgery, single 2.5 cm impacted calculus was found.

Fig.

5. -Transhepatic

obstructive with

jaundice

no opacification

showing

opacification

cholangiography.

1 1 days after Whipple distally.

Appearance

of markedly

dilated

Isolated

with distal common duct obstruction in 63-year-old man with film showing contrast confined to dilated intrahepatic radicles suggests peniportal block. Subcapsular contrast extravasation is evident medially. B, Delayed semierect film distal common duct. At surgery. iatrogenic ligature obstruction of distal common duct was found.

resection

opacification

of intrahepatic

for pancreatic

cancer.

radicles

A , Initial

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NEW

SIGN

OF

BILE

Similar alterations of contrast flow patterns in obstructive biliary disease have been noted during percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography [7, 8]. When high grade distal obstruction and elevated intraluminal pressures are present, contrast material deposited within intrahepatic ducts may appear stagnant and persist in the proximal duct system with little or no tendency to flow distally (fig. 5). Preliminary appearances after direct needle injection often simulate an obstruction in the proximal ducts and require delayed, prone, on semierect views to demonstrate the correct level and nature of the obstruction. Anatomically, it is also noteworthy that in this series duct opacification was most frequently and to a greater extent observed in the right hepatic duct and its branches. This is explained by the spatial arrangement of the intrahepatic ductal system [9]. With the patient in the customary supine or right posterior oblique position for intravenous cholangiography, the right hepatic duct and its branches are in a dependent position and will accumulate contrast material readily, while the left hepatic duct which courses ventrally is well drained by a gravitational effect. Thus gravity as well as elevated intraluminal pressures probably contribute to the prominent initial visualization of intrahepatic radicles in distal extrahepatic obstruction. Finally, since the wide range of diameters reported for unobstructed common ducts renders duct caliber an unreliable parameter of obstruction, identification of al-

DUCT

65

OBSTRUCTION

tered dynamics of biliary ualization of intrahepatic tional dynamic radiographic

contrast excretion initial visducts-affords a useful addisign of duct disease. -

REFERENCES RE: Intravenous Cholangiography. Springfield, III., Thomas, 1962 Wise RE, Johnston DO, Salzman FA: The intravenous cholangiographic diagnosis of partial obstruction of the common bile duct. Radiology 68 : 507-525, 1957 Wise RE, O’Brien AG: Interpretation of the intravenous cholangiogram.JAMA 160:819-827, 1956 Hopton D, White U: An evaluation of manometnic operative cholangiography in 100 patients with biliary disease. Surg Gynecol Obstet 1 33 : 949-954, 1971 Hopton D, White U: Radiomanometry, flow rates, and cholangiognaphy in the evaluation of common bile duct disease.AmJSurg 123:73-79, 1972 Burgener FA, Fischer HW, Adams JT: Intravenous cholangiography in different degrees of common bile duct obstnuction. An experimental study in the dog. Invest Radio!

1 . Wise

2.

3. 4.

5.

6.

7.

10:342-350, 1975 Ferrucci JT Jr, Wittenbeng

J: Refinements

in Chiba

needle

transhepatic cholangiography. Am J Roentgenol 129:1116, 1977 8. Kittredge AD, Baer JW: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography: problems in interpretation. Am J Roentgenol 125:35-46,

1975

9. Stern WZ, Schein CJ, Jacobson HG: The significance of the lateral view in T-tube cholangiography. Am J Roentgenol

87:764-771,1961

New cholangiographic sign of common bile duct obstruction: initial opacification of intrahepatic ducts.

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