Three-dimensional intraductal biliary ultrasonography using a three-dimensional ultrasonic probe imaging system

The application and clinical efficacy of three-dimensional intraductal ultrasonography (3D-IDUS) using a three-dimensional ultrasonic probe imaging system for biliary diseases was assessed. For the 3D-IDUS, 12MHz or 20MHz frequency ultrasonic probes were applied, both radial and linear images being obtained at one scanning operation in real time. Three-dimensional observation was thus made possible using the two image types in combination. Sixteen patients with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage were examined 3D-IDUS, and diagnoses could be made in all cases about tumor extension, and relations to blood vessels and surrounding organs, as well as visualization of the course of vessels. In 3 cases with distal bile duct carcinoma, tumor volumes could be measured. Using the 3D-IDUS system, advances in the capacity of this approach for diagnostic purposes can be expected.