The imaging features of ampullary carcinomas, including tumor size and morphology, signal intensity, and enhancement characteristics, were determined. Ampullary carcinomas shown on MR images ranged in size from 1.5 to 5.5 cm. Tumor conspicuity was greatest on immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient echo images. MR cholangiog- raphy demonstrated high grade obstruction of the common bile duct and mild dilatation of the pancreatic duct at the level of the ampulla with abrupt termination of the ducts in two untreated patients and moderate dilatation of the common bile duct in one patient who had a biliary stent. Ampullary carcinomas can be demonstrated on MR images as small masses arising at the ampulla.
Tumors are well defined on immediate postgadolinium spoiled gradient echo images.
Rowlands BJ TI - Surgical biliary bypass for benign and malignant extrahepatic biliary tract disease. The optimal management of patients with benign and malignant disease affecting the extrahepatic biliary tract remains unresolved. A retrospective study was undertaken of all surgical biliary bypass procedures performed in one hepatobiliary unit. A total of 121 patients treated in a 9-year period and comprising 60 patients with benign disease and 61 with malignant disease were reviewed. The median postoperative stay in both groups of patients was 10 days.