Correlation of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram with operative findings

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) diagnosis of extrahepatic biliary obstruction was correlated with laparotomy findings. Out of a total of 55 cases who had PTC, 28 underwent laparotomy. PTC diagnosis of the cause of obstruction was correct in 93 percent of them. The differentiation of benign from malignant lesion was accurate in all the cases. It is concluded that PTC is valuable in the diagnosis of the cause of extrahepatic obstruction.