Abstract

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary catheterization (PTC) has not only been increasingly used in the localization of benign and malignant lesions, but it is also considered rapid, safe and effective method to establish internal and external drainage for decompression of biliary obstructions. Infections and granulomas at the catheter entry site can occasionally develop, but are easily managed. However, such technique, when used both for obtaining malignant cells for diagnosis and for percutaneous decompression of the biliary tract can exposure the patient at risk for dissemination of the tumor along the catheter tract. This rare complication has been observed in a patient who underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for malignant biliary tract obstruction. Although tumor cell seeding along the catheter tract is a very rare complication, we think that PTBD should be avoided when curative resection is planned. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 19: 837∼842, 1999)

• Keywords: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, Cholangiocarcinoma, Implantation metastasis