Summary
The authors describe their initial experience with a 2.8 mm (8.5F) fiberscope.
The instrument, used to refine interventional radiology maneuvers of the intra- and
extra-hepatic bile ducts, caused no additional discomfort to the 18 patients treated.
The fiberscope permitted differentiation between different causes of biliary stenosis
in the few cases where doubt persisted after percutaneous cholangiography. Brushing
was also performed wherever necessary.
The color, and thus the composition, of bile duct stones could also be determined.
This has helped us to plan the therapy with methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) in patients
with cholesterol stones.
Compared with traditional fiberscopes (diameter of 5 mm or more) the new instrument
is easier to use, and allows more peripheral ducts to be reached, but is expensive
and has a smaller field of view and fewer possibilities for therapeutic applications.
Key words:
Fiberscope - Percutaneous cholangiography - Bile ducts
