Oral contrast-enhanced CT cholangiography--an initial experience
Naseem, I.; Rees, J.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 54(1): 8-12
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 15058634 Document Number: 569973
To describe our experience of CT (Computed tomographic) Cholangiography examination for detection of choledocholithiasis at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) Karachi Pakistan. Seven patients underwent helical CT cholangiography for suspected choledocholithiasis. Iopanoic acid (6 grams) was administered orally 8-12 hours before acquisition of a helical CT cholangiogram. Three-dimensional reconstructions and curved multiplanar reformations were generated from a set of axial source images. Our patients had no adverse reactions to iopanoic acid. The degree of biliary opacification was sufficient to perform three-dimensional and curved planar reformations in 5 patients. In two patients, the biliary tree was not opacified. Both of these studies were considered failures. Findings on CT cholangiography in the remaining 5 patients were the following: cholelithiasis with normal bile duct (n=2), choledocholithiasis (n=1), stone in gallbladder remnant with long cystic duct (n=1) and infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder (n=1). Spiral CT cholangiography is a safe, non-invasive, and cost effective alternative test and, in a carefully selected patient population can play a role in the diagnostic work-up of patients with suspected choledocholithiasis.