Duodenal Crohn's disease complicated by common bile duct obstruction: report of a case and review of the literature.

A 28-year-old woman with Crohn's disease involving the duodenum and terminal ileum presented with biochemical evidence of incomplete, extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography showed partial obstruction of the intramural duodenal portion of the common bile duct. Cholangiography was complicated by cholangitis. Surgical decompression of the biliary system and bypass of the affected duodenal segment were performed after intraoperative confirmation of Crohn's disease involving the ileum, duodenum, and ampulla of Vater. The patient made a complete recovery and all previously abnormal cholestatic liver function test results returned to normal.