What bile duct diseases can be treated with biliary stents? Applicable to these 4 diseases

Diseases that can be treated with biliary stents include:

(1) Biliary obstruction caused by malignant tumors, such as ampullary tumors, duodenal papillary tumors, bile duct cancer, especially common bile duct cancer, common hepatic duct cancer, and pancreatic head cancer.

(2) Patients with bile duct stones who have the following conditions: ① the elderly or frail or those with other high surgical risks who are not suitable for surgery; ② those whose endoscopic stone removal is unsuccessful; ③ to prevent stone impaction or cholangitis;

(3) benign biliary stricture (benign stricture of the common bile duct, common hepatic duct, chronic pancreatitis, sclerosing cholangitis);

(4) Biliary fistula caused by biliary surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and liver transplantation.

However, patients with the following conditions are not suitable for biliary stent placement:

(1) Those with severe cardiopulmonary insufficiency

(2) Patients with upper gastrointestinal tract stenosis or obstruction, making it difficult for the endoscope to reach the descending duodenum;

(3) Non-stone impacted acute pancreatitis or acute attack of chronic pancreatitis;

(4) Hilar bile duct tumors, with multiple intrahepatic bile duct branches invaded.

Can a stent be placed in a blocked blood vessel?

Yes. Common blood vessel obstructions are the superior vena cava and the inferior vena cava. A stent can be placed through the blood vessels at the site of tumor obstruction to relieve the obstruction of the superior vena cava or the inferior vena cava.