Unresectable Carcinoma Gall Bladder for Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage

Gall bladder (GB) cancer is a common biliary tract malignancy. It is much more common in females than males. Risk factors include pre-existing gall bladder disease, GB calcification, congenital gall bladder cysts and environmental carcinogens. Most patients present with advanced disease which results in poor survival. Malignant biliary obstruction is often relieved by either endoscopic (ERCP) or percutaneous approaches. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is the desired approach for CAGB (gall bladder cancer). Its three types are external biliary drainage, internal-external biliary drainage and SEMS (self-expanding metallic stent) placement. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage are other alternatives to PTBD (percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage).