Abstract
Biliary strictures can occur due to benign and malignant etiologies, of which ∼30%
are due to benign causes. The diagnosis of benign biliary strictures (BBSs) is often
missed or delayed as many cases present with subtle clinical findings. Clinical presentation
in these patients is often variable ranging from asymptomatic to cholangitis and sepsis.
Diagnosis can be done using various modalities like ultrasound, computed tomography,
and magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging helps identify the stricture location, extent
as well as etiology of obstruction. Management of BBS requires a multidisciplinary
approach of surgeon, gastroenterologist, and interventional radiologist. The percutaneous
approach provides an alternative to surgery or endoscopic-guided procedures in biliary
stricture treatment with the main advantages being rapid decompression of the biliary
system and prompt relief of cholangitis. This review provides an overview of various
percutaneous management techniques by interventional radiologists. The various percutaneous
techniques like percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, balloon dilatation, plastic
or biodegradable stents, magnetic compression anastomosis, and percutaneous endobiliary
radiofrequency ablation are discussed.
Keywords
benign biliary stricture - biliary stent - percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage
- percutaneous balloon dilatation - biodegradable biliary stents
