BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the frequency of anatomic variations of bile ducts (aberrant bile ducts) using multislice helical computed tomography (MCT) cholangiography. METHODS: MCT scanning was performed after slow infusion of 100 mL meglumine iotroxate. Overlapping axial images, taken at 0.5-mm intervals, were reconstructed to create a multiplanar reconstruction with volume rendering. We analyzed anatomical variations of the biliary tree by MCT cholangiography. RESULTS: In a total of 113 patients, MCT cholangiography provided clear images of aberrant bile ducts in 18 patients. Major type (draining a particular segment of the liver) was found in 9 cases (8%) and minor type (draining a particular subsegment of the liver) in 9 cases (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MCT cholangiography provides important information about the precise biliary anatomy and can reveal unexpected aberrant bile ducts prior to biliary surgery, especially laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the frequency of anatomic variations of bile ducts (aberrant bile ducts) using multislice helical computed tomography (MCT) cholangiography. METHODS: MCT scanning was performed after slow infusion of 100 mL meglumine iotroxate. Overlapping axial images, taken at 0.5-mm intervals, were reconstructed to create a multiplanar reconstruction with volume rendering. We analyzed anatomical variations of the biliary tree by MCT cholangiography. RESULTS: In a total of 113 patients, MCT cholangiography provided clear images of aberrant bile ducts in 18 patients. Major type (draining a particular segment of the liver) was found in 9 cases (8%) and minor type (draining a particular subsegment of the liver) in 9 cases (8%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative MCT cholangiography provides important information about the precise biliary anatomy and can reveal unexpected aberrant bile ducts prior to biliary surgery, especially laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Authors: M De Filippo; M Calabrese; S Quinto; A Rastelli; A Bertellini; R Martora; N Sverzellati; D Corradi; M Vitale; G Crialesi; L Sarli; L Roncoroni; G Garlaschi; M Zompatori Journal: Radiol Med Date: 2008-06-30 Impact factor: 3.469