Fig. 3

Percutaneous treatment of a benign stricture of the common bile duct by a bioabsorbable biliary stent. a Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography demonstrates remarkably dilated bile ducts (asterisks). The obstruction can be clearly spotted (white arrows). b Bilioplasty procedure. The balloon (black arrows) is fully inflated to dilate the stricture. Radiopaque contrast agent can be detected in the bowel (B); asterisks dilated bile ducts. c A bioabsorbable stent is positioned to keep the stricture open. The stent is radiolucent, but two platinum, radiopaque markers can be seen (black arrowheads); asterisks dilated bile ducts, B bowel. d The stent is fully expanded and radiopaque bile can be seen flowing through the patent common bile duct (white arrowheads); black arrows radiopaque stent markers; B bowel. e US follow-up at 3 months demonstrating good visibility of the stent (arrowheads) that was correctly expanded, and no dilation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts; L liver