Cholangiocarcinoma

The angiographic, historical, and clinical findings in 16 cases of primary bile duct carcinoma (cholangiocarcinoma) are described. The differential diagnosis of hepatoma, inflammatory biliary disease, and metastatic disease to the porta hepatis is discussed. The typical findings of cholangiocarcinoma occur in the liver hilus and include tiny, thin, neoplastic vessels with irregular encased or obstructed arteries. The portal vein is seldom invaded. An early diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma remains difficult, but angiography may be diagnostically more conclusive than needle or open liver biopsy.