Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography: Difference between revisions

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'''Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography''' ('''PTHC''' or '''PTC''') is a diagnostic test used to visualize the [[anatomy]] of the [[biliary tract]]. A [[contrast medium]] is injected into a bile duct in the [[liver]], after which [[X-ray]]s are taken. It has various purposes, such as the visualisation of the biliary tree in cases where [[endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography]] (ERCP) has been unsuccessful. Initially reported in 1937, the procedure became popular after a 1952 report in the English-language literature.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Carter RF, Saypol GM |title=Transabdominal cholangiography |journal=Journal of the American Medical Association |volume=148 |issue=4 |pages=253–5 |year=1952 |pmid=14888454 |doi=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Atkinson M, Happey MG, Smiddy FG |title=Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography |journal=Gut |volume=1 |issue= |pages=357–65 |year=1960 |pmid=13684978 |pmc=1413224}}</ref> If the biliary system is obstructed, PTC may be used to drain bile until a permanent solution for the obstruction is performed (e.g. surgery). Advancement of the percutaneous cannula through the biliary tract to the [[duodenum]] may aid in visualising the [[ampulla of Vater]] during further attempts at ERCP. Following access to the biliary tree, self expanding metal stents can be placed over a guidewire across malignant biliary strictures. ThisPercutaneous placement of metal stents can be usedutilised wherewhen therapeutic [[ERCP]] has been unsuccessful,anatomy is altered precluding endoscopic access to the duodenum, or where there has been separation of the segmental biliary drainage of the liver, allowing more selective placement of metal stents. It is generally accepted that percutanous biliary procedures have a higher complcation rate than therapeutic ERCP.

== References ==