Evaluation of various diagnostic signs on percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in obstructive jaundice

Twenty patients of obstructive jaundice were subjected to percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) of which 17 were operated on. Patients were divided in 4 groups according to the site of obstruction. The diagnostic signs observed were: Complete block with interface having convexity downwards (4), convexity upwards (3), biconcave caudal cut off (6), smooth edged cut off (one), irregular edged cut off (one) and non-specific appearance (one); incomplete block with interface having convexity upwards (one); biconcave caudal cut off (2) and multiple smooth central filling defects (2). In one case there was incomplete obstruction at two sites giving rise to two different signs. PTC was 100% correct in accurately telling the site of lesion. As regards the nature of the lesion the diagnosis on PTC was found correct in 15 out of 17 cases (88.5%).