Portal biliopathy: a multitechnique imaging approach

Abdom Imaging. 2012 Feb;37(1):83-90. doi: 10.1007/s00261-011-9765-2.

Abstract

Portal biliopathy (PB) is a disorder characterized by biliary ductal and gallbladder wall abnormalities seen in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction. These abnormalities consist mainly of bile duct compression and tethering, stenoses, fibrotic strictures and dilatation of both extrahepatic and intrahepatic bile ducts, as well as gallbladder varices. In this pictorial essay, we describe the imaging findings of PB, which allow differentiation of this entity from other diseases that may have similar imaging findings including cholangiocarcinoma, extrinsic compression of the bile duct caused by metastatic adenopathy or sclerosing cholangitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bile Duct Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Bile Duct Diseases / etiology
  • Bile Ducts / diagnostic imaging
  • Cholangiography
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Portal / complications*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography
  • Portal Vein / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color