Selected Abstracts Presented At The 14th Annual Scientific Conference Of Society For Gastroenterology And Hepatology In Nigeria, Kano, July 18–22, 2022

Background: Cholestatic jaundice refers to yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes because of rising levels of serum bilirubin due to the obstruction of the flow of bile from the liver to the duodenum. Percutaneous cholangiography and drainage (PTCD) are important noninvasive palliative methods of relieving cholestasis, which are not limited to malignant causes.

Aim: These case series represent our first cases of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage, mainly caused by unresectable carcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Materials and Methods: The five patients consist of three females and two males. Their age ranged from 40 to 85 years.

Results: All of them presented with distressing deepening jaundice, distressing pruritus, and at least a month history of dull epigastric pain and fullness. In all cases, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a mass at the pancreatic head, which encapsulated the superior mesenteric vessels and caused severe cholestasis. PTCD were done prior to the application of an external drain to decompress the dilated biliary system. Only one of the cases had cholangioplasty and the deployment of balloon-expandable stent over the stenotic segment. The postprocedure was satisfactory, and the patient showed gradual clearance of jaundice and resolution of pruritus.

Conclusion: Percutaneous biliary access and imaging resulted in intended beneficial outcomes in most cases.

Keywords: Cholangioplasty, cholestatic jaundice, imaging, percutaneous biliary access