Can bile duct strictures be treated with stent dilation?
Sep 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Gao Jun
Introduction
In general, bile duct stricture refers to a narrowing of the bile duct lumen, which may be caused by benign or malignant conditions. Whether a bile duct stricture can be treated with stent placement and dilation depends on the specific clinical situation. If any discomfort occurs, prompt medical consultation is recommended. In daily life, once a bile duct stricture is detected, it is important to promptly identify the underlying cause and evaluate the indications for stent therapy. Regular liver function tests should be conducted after treatment.
In general, bile duct stricture refers to a narrowing of the bile duct lumen and may be caused by either benign or malignant conditions. Whether biliary strictures can be effectively treated with stent dilation depends on the specific clinical circumstances. If discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. The detailed analysis is as follows:
If the bile duct stricture is caused by benign lesions, and the narrowed segment is short, the degree of stenosis is mild, there is no severe biliary infection or liver atrophy, and the patient does not have serious coagulopathy or hepatic/renal failure, stent placement is often effective in improving the condition. The stent can expand the narrowed bile duct, restore bile drainage, relieve symptoms such as jaundice and abdominal pain, and in some patients with benign strictures, short-term stenting may even allow for repair of the stricture segment.
If the bile duct stricture is caused by a malignant tumor, especially when the stricture is long and severe, complete bile duct obstruction has occurred, there is extensive liver metastasis, or the patient is extremely frail and unable to tolerate endoscopic procedures, the effectiveness of stent dilation is limited. In these cases, stents can only temporarily alleviate bile accumulation but cannot cure the underlying disease. Moreover, tumor progression may lead to stent occlusion, requiring repeated replacements. Some patients may require additional therapies to control disease progression.
In daily management, it is important to promptly identify the underlying cause after diagnosis of biliary stricture and evaluate the indications for stent therapy. After treatment, regular follow-up of liver function tests and imaging of the biliary tract is necessary to monitor stent patency. A low-fat diet should be maintained to avoid greasy foods that increase the burden on bile secretion. Immediate medical evaluation is required if symptoms such as fever, worsening jaundice, or increased abdominal pain occur, to rule out stent blockage or infection. Stent therapy should not be relied upon alone while neglecting treatment of the underlying cause; long-term management plans should be developed based on the individual patient's condition.
