Papillary Stenosis - Causes and Cures

The term papillary stenosis simply implies the narrowing of the passage inside of the muscular valve within the duodenum. This narrowing occurs because of different factors. Whenever this occurs, there is an obstruction of the flow of pancreatic juices and bile from the pancreas into the large intestines.

Some of these factors which result in papillary stenosis are:

• Scarring due to injury or surgery.
• Inflammation in the area of the bile duct or optic disc.
• Gall stones
• Papilla
• compressive tumors or inflammatory lesions of adjacent structures such as common bile duct or pancreas head. 

Effects

Depending on the degree of stenosis the results can be severe pain and inability to secrete bile and pancreatic juices - cholestasis. This may also result in recurring pancreatitis.

How is papillary stenosis diagnosed?

• The patient's history must be taken into account when diagnosing for papillary stenosis. Was there previous surgery? 
• Does the patient have a history of gallstone?
• Has there been instances of inflammation in the past?

Use of ultrasound and endoscopy will determine the condition of the bile duct and papilla.

If tumors are present then an endoscopic biopsy would be conducted in order to determine the kind of treatment approach required.

The therapy will vary accordingly with either endoscopic or surgical procedures of restoration. These means can be as follows:

• balloon
• papillotomy
• biliary sphincteronomy
• stent implantation
• tumor extraction