[Percutaneous needle biopsy of the distal part of the choledochal duct].

The indication for the biopsy was the finding of stenosis of uncertain etiology even after the endoscopy and the attempt of endoscopic or brush biopsy. The experiences with needle biopsy in 6 patients were presented in the study. The biopsy was done with the needles with diameter less than 1 mm (Chiba needle 0.6-0.95 mm), Otto-cut 0.8 mm and Vacu-cut 0.8 mm. Percutaneous cholangiography that was firstly performed, showed the site of stenosis of common bile duct distal part and simultaneously the other structures of interest for biopsy performance. The needle was guided under radioscopic control in one attempt. In that way, the precise diagnosis of pathologic process, which induced the obstruction in the early disease stage was made in all six patients. On the basis of cited results, the percutaneous needle biopsy was found to be efficient and safe method to reveal the type of lesion in this region, if necessary conditions existed. Percutaneous needle biopsy is a very valuable method, less invasive and less expensive compared to the surgical biopsies and other methods. It demonstrated reliable results in our conditions.