CT of intrahepatic lithiasis

Abstract

Twenty out of 65 patients, submitted to percutaneous treatment for intrahepatic stones at our department since 1983, had ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) performed before any treatment. CT visualised stones in 65% of patients while distribution of stones was assessed correctly in 40%. In 5 patients CT provided information useful for treatment: in one case extremely dilated bile ducts hindered cholangiographic evaluation of lithiasis while in the other four cases CT examinations showed stones in dilated bile ducts unrecognised on percutaneous or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. It is concluded that CT is a useful tool in the diagnosis of bile duct lithiasis. It aids in treatment selection and, when the percutaneous approach is chosen, allows the interventional radiologist to select the ducts to be catheterised.