Preoperative imaging of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: surgical evaluation of standard practises.

UNLABELLED It was the goal of this study to compare the results of the preoperative diagnostic workup (ERC, MRC, and PTC) with the tumor extent of the surgical specimen in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma (hilCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 9/97 and 12/2002 82 patients with hilCC were treated at our institution. In 59 patients tumor resection was feasible. Preoperative ERC, MRC and PTC - blinded for the idendity of the patients - were analysed retrospectively and compared with the surgical specimen. RESULTS PTC resulted in significantly superior visualization of the bile ducts including the hilar lesion compared to ERC and MRC (p < 0.01). ERC, MRC and PTC were correct in predicting …