Sclerosing cholangitis induced by formaldehyde solution injected into the biliary tree of rats
S. Houry, O. Languille, M. Huguier, J. P. Benhamou, J. Belghiti and S. Msika
Service of Digestive Surgery, Hopital Universitaire Tenon, Paris, France.
Sclerosing cholangitis has been reported after surgical treatment of
hydatid disease of the liver and has been hypothetically attributed to the
caustic effect of the parasiticide solution injected into the cyst and
diffusing into the biliary tree through a cystic-biliary fistula. In this
experimental study, we showed that, in rats, injection into the biliary
tract of 20% hypertonic saline solution or 2% formaldehyde solution, the
most commonly used scolicidal solutions, was followed by lesions of the
biliary epithelium. As compared with 20% hypertonic saline solution, the 2%
formaldehyde solution caused more severe lesions of the biliary epithelium
and, in addition, induced the development of sclerosis. This experimental
study confirms the deleterious effect of scolicidal solutions to the
biliary epithelium, shows that their effect is mainly related to the
causticity of the scolicidal solution, and indicates that intracystic
injection of 2% formaldehyde solution should be abandoned.
