Contrast-enhanced intraductal ultrasonography for thickened bile duct wall

Purpose.

We carried out this study to evaluate the usefulness of contrast-enhanced intraductal ultrasonography (ceIDUS) in the differentiation of thickened bile duct wall at the hepatic bifurcation caused by malignant tumor from that caused by cholangitis. Methods. Seven patients (two with primary sclerosing cholangitis [PSC], one with secondary sclerosing cholangitis [SSC], and four with bile duct carcinomas [BDC] at the hepatic bifurcation underwent endoscopic ceIDUS, in which we used Levovist. The recorded images of echo-brightness were analyzed histographically. Results. The bile duct wall, in PSC and SSC, but not in BDC, was enhanced by Levovist. Conclusion. ceIDUS with histographic analysis may be useful for distinguishing thickened bile duct wall caused by malignant tumor from that caused by cholangitis.