[Improved diagnosis in percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) (author's transl)]

PTC is a good radiographic method in the diagnosis of cholestasis. Complications are rare, primarily due to the ultra-thin Chiba needle. For penetrating the liver we recommend to keep a distance of at least 4 cm between needle and spine (measured on the monitor). Our experience has shown routine liver tomography to be very helpful. Furthermore, delayed radiography can show extrahepatic bile ducts not seen on initial films.