Evaluation of 3-D cholangiography using rotational digital subtraction (3 D-RDSC) for right intrahepatic bile ducts

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of 3D-rotational digital subtraction cholangiography (RDSC) in delineating the anatomical confirmation of the right intrahepatic bile duct (rtIHBD). Of the 49 patients, 45 (91.8%) were assessable for analysis. One large branch of B 5, a subsegmental branch of B 5, downstream from the subsegmental branch of B 8 was recognized in 26.7%. The incidence of various ramified subsubsegmental branches of B 5, downstream from B 8 but without the distinguishable subsegmental branch of B 5 was 33.3%. The incidence of a subsegmental branch of B 5 from the subsubsegmental branches of B 8 was 40.0%. The case in which the anterior segmental bile duct was absent was recognized at 33.3%. As to the posterior branches, the incidences of a subsegmental branch of B 6 from the subsegmental branch of B 7, subsubsegmental branches of B 6 from the subsegmental branch of B 7 and subsegmental branch of B 6 from the subsubsegmental branches of B 7 were 31.7%, 56.1% and 12.2%, respectively. 3D-RDSC is feasible and is a promising technique for accurate assessment of the rtIHBD ramification. (author)