Open AccessChemical ablation of the gallbladder using alcohol in cholecystitis after palliative biliary stenting
Author(s) -
Tae Hoon Lee,
SangHeum Park,
Sang Pil Kim,
Jiyoung Park,
Chang Kyun Lee,
IlKwun Chung,
Hong Soo Kim,
SunJoo Kim
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.15.2041
Subject(s) - medicine , gallbladder , cholecystitis , cystic duct , percutaneous , bile duct , stent , surgery , cholecystectomy , ablation , biliary tract , radiology
Chemical ablation of the gallbladder is effective in patients at high risk of complications after surgery. Percutaneous gallbladder drainage is an effective treatment for cholecystitis; however, when the drain tube cannot be removed because of recurrent symptoms, retaining it can cause problems. An 82-year-old woman presented with cholecystitis and cholangitis caused by biliary stent occlusion and suspected tumor invasion of the cystic duct. We present successful chemical ablation of the gallbladder using pure alcohol, through a percutaneous gallbladder drainage tube, in a patient who developed intractable cholecystitis with obstruction of the cystic duct after receiving a biliary stent. Our results suggest that chemical ablation therapy is an effective alternative to surgical therapy for intractable cholecystitis.