An endoscopic study of the cystic duct under peroral cholangioscopy

Abstract

Endoscopic observation of the cystic duct was performed in 18 cases since January 1990. All cases had recieved endoscopic lithotomy for the stones in the common bile duct transpapillary. After complete removal of stones, peroral cholangioscopy was perfoemed using the baby scope. As the results, the insertion of the baby scope into the cystic duct was successful in 15 cases; in 3 cases into the neck of gallbladder, in 13 cases upto the valvular portion and in all cases upto the smooth portion. It was failed in 3 cases. Endoscopic findings could be evaluated in 12 cases. All cases had fine branching vessel and in 4 cases, the valvular portion showed dilated vessles. The rough mucosa was shown in 2 cases in the valvular portion. Methylene blue staining was perfonrmed in 4 cases. It was effective to show the surface structure of the mucosa clearly in the cystic duct. Histological findings of the rough mucosa showed the chronic inflammatory changes. In conclusion, endoscopic observation, the dyeing method and the histological examination are useful for the diagnosis of the mucosal structure of the cystic duct. © 1992, Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society. All rights reserved.