The optimal palliative intervention for malignant biliary obstruction is internal
drainage by placement of a metallic stent. For patients with hilar biliary obstruction
or low bile duct obstruction in whom endoscopy is not feasible, a percutaneous transhepatic
approach in interventional radiology is preferred. This article reviews the rationale
for this approach, periprocedural management, and techniques to optimize stent patency.
Keywords
interventional radiology - biliary obstruction - bile duct obstruction - stent - biliary
drainage