Anton Vavrečka, Rudolf Hrčka
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) is a diagnostic method which consists of applying a thin needle
(called Chiba) through the skin and liver parenchyma to the intrahepatic bile ducts and subsequent application of
contrast agent that displays biliary system and enable the identification of pathological changes. PTC after treatment
followed by therapeutic intervention, most external or combined percutaneous transhepatic drainage (PTD). It is
indicated in patients with obstructive jaundice in inoperable biliary tract tumours, in cases where it is unsuccessful
or impossible to perform endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). Less common indications are benign bile
duct strictures (especially hepaticojejunoastomosis) and planned cholangioscopy. The success of the exercise is given
between 80 to 100%, partly depending on the presence of dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Complications in
PTC occur in 5% in the PTD 10 to 20%; mortality is 1-3%.