What are the indications for percutaneous biliary drainage stenting?

The most common indication for biliary drainage is blockage or narrowing (stricture) of the bile ducts. There are several conditions that may cause this including:

• Gallstones – in the gallbladder or within the bile ducts
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
• Inflammation of the bile ducts (sclerosing cholangitis)
• Tumours of the pancreas, gallbladder, bile duct, liver
• Enlarged lymph nodes in the region of the pancreas and liver due to various types of tumours
• Injury to bile ducts during surgery
• Infection

Biliary drainage relieves obstruction by providing an alternative pathway to exit the liver.
Biliary drainage may also be necessary if a hole develops in the bile duct, resulting in leakage of bile into the abdominal cavity. This leak may cause severe pain and infection. Biliary drainage stops the leak and helps the hole in the bile duct to heal.
Biliary drainage may be necessary in preparation for surgery or other procedure on the bile ducts, such as removal of a bile duct stone or tumour.