Used when ERCP is not possible (e.g., altered anatomy from gastric bypass).
Dr. Evans walked in, holding a small jar containing a jagged, dark green stone the size of a cherry pit. "We found your dam," he said, placing the jar on the bedside table. "It was a gallstone that went for a walk. We opened the duct, pulled the stone, and placed a temporary plastic stent to keep the walls from collapsing while you heal."
The symptoms of a blocked bile duct can vary depending on the location and severity of the blockage. Common symptoms include:
He wasn't just sick; he was turning into gold.
"Come on," he whispered. He tugged gently. The stone resisted. It had formed a seal with the duct wall. He maneuvered the scope to get a better angle, applying traction. Suddenly, with a wet pop audible only through the ultrasound sensors, the stone dislodged.
"Step three: Stenting."
If an ERCP is not possible, an interventional radiologist can insert a needle through the skin of the abdomen and into the liver. A catheter is then placed to drain bile or insert a stent to bypass the blockage.
