Ultrasonically guided cholangiography and bile drainage

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Hepatobiliary Imaging
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) has been a cornerstone for diagnosing biliary issues.
• Traditional PTC procedures can be invasive and require multiple steps.
• Advancements in imaging and procedural techniques are shifting the landscape of biliary interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic procedures.
• To assess the utility of ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage (UG-PTBD) and gallbladder drainage (UG-PTGBD).
• To determine the evolving indications for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in light of new techniques.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (UG-PTC), bile drainage (UG-PTBD), and gallbladder drainage (UG-PTGBD).
• Procedures were performed on 47, 183, and 36 patients, respectively.
• Complications and success rates were meticulously recorded.

Main Results:

• UG-PTC was successful in 47 patients without complications.
• UG-PTBD achieved a high success rate (98.2%) with the primary complication being catheter dislodgement (12.3%).
• UG-PTGBD was successful in 36 patients with minimal complications, notably no instances of cholangitis.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasonically guided techniques, particularly UG-PTBD, are highly effective and safe for biliary interventions.
• The development of UG-PTBD has reduced the necessity for diagnostic cholangiography in PTBD preparation.
• The indications for traditional PTC are now more limited, primarily for specific cases of intrahepatic bile duct dilatation without jaundice.