Common bile duct obstruction: assessment by transcholecystic cholangiography

Percutaneous transcholecystic cholangiography was performed in 20 patients. Fifteen patients had normal-sized bile ducts on sonograms and computed tomographic scans, and five had partial common bile duct obstruction. Gallbladder pressures were measured in 14 patients. In all cases the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts were well visualized. Only one clinically significant complication, bile peritonitis, occurred, and it was relieved by inserting a cholecystostomy catheter. Techniques as well as the potential indications for transcholecystic cholangiography are discussed. The authors believe the transcholecystic approach is a useful alternative to transhepatic cholangiography.