D J Roebuck1, P Stanley. 1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Organ Imaging, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Sha Tin.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice is an uncommon but important clinical problem in children with cancer. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is widely used to relieve malignant biliary obstruction in adults, but its use in children has not been well described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients aged between 1 and 17 years underwent external or internal-external biliary drainage to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice. Biochemical, haematological and microbiological parameters were measured before the procedure and repeated 7-9 days later. RESULTS: External or internal-external biliary drainage was technically successful in all patients. No patient developed clinically significant biliary sepsis. Asymptomatic duodenal perforation occurred in one patient with bulky duodenal tumour following conversion from external to internal-external drainage. CONCLUSIONS: External biliary drainage may be successfully performed in children with malignant obstructive jaundice.
BACKGROUND: Obstructive jaundice is an uncommon but important clinical problem in children with cancer. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is widely used to relieve malignant biliary obstruction in adults, but its use in children has not been well described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients aged between 1 and 17 years underwent external or internal-external biliary drainage to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice. Biochemical, haematological and microbiological parameters were measured before the procedure and repeated 7-9 days later. RESULTS: External or internal-external biliary drainage was technically successful in all patients. No patient developed clinically significant biliary sepsis. Asymptomatic duodenal perforation occurred in one patient with bulky duodenal tumour following conversion from external to internal-external drainage. CONCLUSIONS: External biliary drainage may be successfully performed in children with malignant obstructive jaundice.