Interventional radiology of the biliary tract.

Interventional radiology provides a range of management options applicable to a broad spectrum of patients with biliary tract disorders. This review highlights the importance of these procedures, and illustrates their safety and effectiveness. Percutaneous transcatheter decompression has a well-established role in the management of patients with benign and malignant biliary obstruction. The advent of metallic stents has greatly increased the value of these techniques. Patients with biliary tract calculi can be successfully treated with a variety of percutaneous techniques, obviating surgery and providing a useful alternative to endoscopic methods. Finally, percutaneous cholecystostomy has evolved as a valuable adjunct in the treatment of calculous cholecystitis, as well as providing the definitive cure for many patients with acalculous cholecystitis.