Biliary stricture

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Bile pathway

Biliary stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the biliary duct, the tube that moves bile (a chemical used in digestion) from the liver to the small intestine.

Bile duct stricture

Biliary strictures are often caused by surgical injury to the bile ducts, for example, after surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy).

Other causes of this condition are pancreatitis, breakdown of the duct by a gallstone in the bile duct, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and cancer of the bile duct.

Risk factors include previous biliary surgery, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, or injury to the intestine.

Review Date: 07/25/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-TorresdaleHospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.