Oftentimes patients with multiple medical problems are high risk surgical candidates for the removal of the gallbladder when infected due to gallstones. Our interventional radiologist can place a drainage tube in the gallbladder to alleviate the issue. A new procedure can help ultimately remove the gallbladder tube in such patients using a thin fiberoptic camera called SpyGlass, a tiny basket, and a laser. The interventional radiologist can then extract the stones through the same access site as the pre-existing gallbladder tube without the need for anesthesia.
Conditions and how they're treated
- Condition Treated: Bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, liver disease, cholangiocarcinoma, biliary cancer, choledocholithiasis (biliary stone disease)
- Reason for Procedure: Obstruction of the liver bile ducts can lead jaundice, liver disease, and infection/sepsis
- How It’s Performed: An Interventional Radiologist accesses a dilated bile duct using ultrasound and X-Ray guidance. Contrast dye is injected to study the bile ducts and evaluate for obstruction/narrowing. Catheters and wires are placed beyond the obstruction into the small bowel. In certain situations, biopsies are performed, stents are placed, and if present, stones can be broken up and removed. A catheter is usually left in place and connected to a drainage bag.
- Recovery Time: 2-4 hours
- For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our IR physicians, please call 631-403-7088.
- Conditions Treated: Cholecystitis, Gallstones (cholelithiasis), bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis).
- Reason for Procedure: Patients with gallstone disease can get blockage of bile ducts leading to infection, requiring gallbladder or bile duct drains. Surgical removal of the gallbladder or traditional endoscopic stone removal by a gastroenterologist can often be performed. Patients who are not candidates for anesthesia can have their stones fragmented and removed through the skin using a small camera and X-ray guidance.
- How It’s Performed: An Interventional Radiologist usually places a wire through your existing gallbladder or bile duct drain, and exchanges it for larger tube. The stones are fragmented using lithotripsy and removed using a small basket or snare.
- Anesthesia: Conscious Sedation
- Recovery Time: 1-2 hours. After the procedure, a drain will be left in place. This drain is usually removed at a later date several weeks after the procedure.
- For more information and to schedule a consultation with one of our IR physicians, please call 631-403-7088
