Ultrasound Guided Percutaneous Cholecystostomy as Preoperative Step for Obstructive Gallbladder Diseases.

The etiology of biliary obstruction can be benign or malignant. Benign disease, such as calculi, strictures, or pancreatitis, can be common causes in adult patients [5], whereas benign strictures including posttransplant anastomotic strictures and strictures secondary to hepatic artery insufficiency, stone disease, infection, and iatrogenic causes can be seen in children [6]. Obstruction can also be seen in the setting of biliary tract abnormalities, such as biliary atresia in neonates and symptomatic choledochal cysts, autoimmune pancreatitis, and sclerosing cholangitis in older children [7]. Biliary obstruction secondary to neoplasm commonly occurs with pancreatic cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, or metastases in adult patients and biliary rhabdomyosarcoma or neuroblastoma in younger patients [8].

The question remains as to whether all patients undergoing PCT drainage require a definitive cholecystectomy. Previous publications have suggested that there is a reluctance to use PCT in older and comorbid patients due to concerns of potentially committing such patients to an interval surgical procedure for which they may not be suitable.