BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuBile duct strictureBile duct stricture; Biliary strictureA bile duct stricture is an abnormal narrowing, most often of the common bile duct. This is a tube that moves bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a substance that helps with digestion.BileBile is a fluid that is made and released by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps with digestion. It breaks down fats into fatty acid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes A bile duct stricture is often caused by injury to the bile ducts during surgery. For example, it may occur after surgery to remove the gallbladder.Other causes of this condition include:Cancer of the bile duct, liver or pancreas Damage and scarring due to a gallstone in the bile duct Gallstone in the bile ductCholedocholithiasis is the presence of at least one gallstone in the common bile duct. The stone may be made up of bile pigments or calcium and chol...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Damage or scarring after gallbladder removal Pancreatitis Primary sclerosing cholangitisPrimary sclerosing cholangitisSclerosing cholangitis refers to swelling (inflammation), scarring, and destruction of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms include:Abdominal pain on the upper right side of belly Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chills ChillsChills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching ItchingItching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the area. Itching may occur all over the body or only in one location...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article General feeling of discomfort Loss of appetite Jaundice Nausea and vomiting Pale or clay-colored stoolsPale or clay-colored stoolsStools that are pale, clay, or putty-colored may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallblad...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests The following tests can help diagnose this condition:Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogramA percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) is an x-ray of the bile ducts. These are the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)The following blood tests can help reveal a problem with the biliary system.Biliary systemThe biliary system creates, moves, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum. This helps the body digest food. It also assists in transporting wa...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is higher than normal. Alkaline phosphataseAlkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with higher amounts of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone. A blo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article GGT enzyme level is higher than normal. Bilirubin level is higher than normal.BilirubinThe bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This condition may also alter the results of the following tests:Amylase level Amylase levelAmylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made primarily in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva, and can be found at low ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lipase level Lipase levelLipase is a protein (enzyme) released by the pancreas into the small intestine. It helps the body absorb fat. This test is used to measure the amou...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine bilirubin Urine bilirubinBilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. This article is about a lab tes...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prothrombin time (PT)PTProthrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. It measures the functio...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment is to correct the narrowing. This will allow bile to flow from the liver into the intestine.This may involve:Surgery Endoscopic or percutaneous dilation or insertion of stents through the strictureIf surgery is done, the stricture is removed. The common bile duct will be rejoined with the small intestine.In some cases, a tiny metal or plastic mesh tube (stent) is placed across the bile duct stricture to keep it open. StentA stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Treatment is successful most of the time. Long-term success depends on the cause of the stricture. Possible Complications Inflammation and narrowing of the biliary duct may return in some people. There is a risk for infection above the narrowed area. Strictures that remain for a long period can lead to liver damage (cirrhosis).CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if symptoms recur after pancreatitis, cholecystectomy, or other biliary surgery.CholecystectomyOpen gallbladder removal is surgery to remove the gallbladder through a large cut in your abdomen. The gallbladder is an organ that sits below the li...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDudeja V, Ferrantella A, Fong Y. The liver. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 54.Fogel EL, Sherman S. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 146.Ibrahim-zada I, Ahrendt SA. Management of benign biliary strictures. In: Cameron AM, Cameron JL, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:462-466.Williams MJ, Gordon-Walker TT. Hepatology. In: Penman ID, Ralston SH, Strachan MWJ, Hobson RP, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 24.AllVideoImagesTogBile pathway - illustration The biliary system is comprised of the organs and duct system that create, transport, store and release bile into the duodenum for digestion. Includes the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts (named the cystic, hepatic, common, and pancreatic duct).Bile pathwayillustrationBile pathway - illustration The biliary system is comprised of the organs and duct system that create, transport, store and release bile into the duodenum for digestion. Includes the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts (named the cystic, hepatic, common, and pancreatic duct).Bile pathwayillustrationRelated Information Bile(Special Topic)Choledocholithiasis(Condition)Sclerosing cholangitis(Condition)Open gallbladder removal(Surgery)Gallstones(Condition)Cirrhosis(Condition)Gallstones and gallbladder disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 5/4/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Bile duct strictureBile duct stricture; Biliary strictureA bile duct stricture is an abnormal narrowing, most often of the common bile duct. This is a tube that moves bile from the liver to the small intestine. Bile is a substance that helps with digestion.BileBile is a fluid that is made and released by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile helps with digestion. It breaks down fats into fatty acid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Causes A bile duct stricture is often caused by injury to the bile ducts during surgery. For example, it may occur after surgery to remove the gallbladder.Other causes of this condition include:Cancer of the bile duct, liver or pancreas Damage and scarring due to a gallstone in the bile duct Gallstone in the bile ductCholedocholithiasis is the presence of at least one gallstone in the common bile duct. The stone may be made up of bile pigments or calcium and chol...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Damage or scarring after gallbladder removal Pancreatitis Primary sclerosing cholangitisPrimary sclerosing cholangitisSclerosing cholangitis refers to swelling (inflammation), scarring, and destruction of the bile ducts inside and outside of the liver.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Symptoms Symptoms include:Abdominal pain on the upper right side of belly Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chills ChillsChills refers to feeling cold after being in a cold environment. The word can also refer to an episode of shivering along with paleness and feeling ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fever FeverFever is the temporary increase in the body's temperature in response to a disease or illness. A child has a fever when the temperature is at or abov...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Itching ItchingItching is a tingling or irritation of the skin that makes you want to scratch the area. Itching may occur all over the body or only in one location...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article General feeling of discomfort Loss of appetite Jaundice Nausea and vomiting Pale or clay-colored stoolsPale or clay-colored stoolsStools that are pale, clay, or putty-colored may be due to problems in the biliary system. The biliary system is the drainage system of the gallblad...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Exams and Tests The following tests can help diagnose this condition:Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogramA percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) is an x-ray of the bile ducts. These are the tubes that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)The following blood tests can help reveal a problem with the biliary system.Biliary systemThe biliary system creates, moves, stores, and releases bile into the duodenum. This helps the body digest food. It also assists in transporting wa...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is higher than normal. Alkaline phosphataseAlkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a protein found in all body tissues. Tissues with higher amounts of ALP include the liver, bile ducts, and bone. A blo...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article GGT enzyme level is higher than normal. Bilirubin level is higher than normal.BilirubinThe bilirubin blood test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. Bi...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article This condition may also alter the results of the following tests:Amylase level Amylase levelAmylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is made primarily in the pancreas and the glands that make saliva, and can be found at low ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lipase level Lipase levelLipase is a protein (enzyme) released by the pancreas into the small intestine. It helps the body absorb fat. This test is used to measure the amou...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine bilirubin Urine bilirubinBilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. This article is about a lab tes...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Prothrombin time (PT)PTProthrombin time (PT) is a blood test that measures the time it takes for the liquid portion (plasma) of your blood to clot. It measures the functio...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment is to correct the narrowing. This will allow bile to flow from the liver into the intestine.This may involve:Surgery Endoscopic or percutaneous dilation or insertion of stents through the strictureIf surgery is done, the stricture is removed. The common bile duct will be rejoined with the small intestine.In some cases, a tiny metal or plastic mesh tube (stent) is placed across the bile duct stricture to keep it open. StentA stent is a tiny tube placed into a hollow structure in your body. This structure can be an artery, a vein, or another structure, such as the tube ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) Treatment is successful most of the time. Long-term success depends on the cause of the stricture. Possible Complications Inflammation and narrowing of the biliary duct may return in some people. There is a risk for infection above the narrowed area. Strictures that remain for a long period can lead to liver damage (cirrhosis).CirrhosisCirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if symptoms recur after pancreatitis, cholecystectomy, or other biliary surgery.CholecystectomyOpen gallbladder removal is surgery to remove the gallbladder through a large cut in your abdomen. The gallbladder is an organ that sits below the li...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDudeja V, Ferrantella A, Fong Y. The liver. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 54.Fogel EL, Sherman S. Diseases of the gallbladder and bile ducts. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 146.Ibrahim-zada I, Ahrendt SA. Management of benign biliary strictures. In: Cameron AM, Cameron JL, eds. Current Surgical Therapy. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:462-466.Williams MJ, Gordon-Walker TT. Hepatology. In: Penman ID, Ralston SH, Strachan MWJ, Hobson RP, eds. Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 24.