Topographic relation of portal vein to extrahepatic bile ducts. A combined portographic-cholangiographic study in 25 cadavers.

The extrahepatic course of both portal vein and bile ducts and their interrelation are analysed by simultaneous portography and cholangiography in 25 adult cadavers. The findings are correlated with the topographic anatomy in the porta hepatis, the hepatoduodenal ligament, and the duodeno-pancreatic region. Minor variations of the interspace between the bile ducts and the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein are demonstrated. The results of this investigation are discussed with respect to the clinical experience that carcinomas of the proximal part of the extrahepatic bile ducts often engage the bifurcation and the main stem of the portal vein, whereas the confluence of the portal vein and the superior mesenteric vein is more often affected by cancer of the head of the pancreas.