Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram


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Gallbladder anatomy
Gallbladder anatomy
Gallstones, cholangiogram
Gallstones, cholangiogram
Alternative Names

PTCA; Cholangiogram - PTCA


What the risks are

There is a slight chance of an allergic reaction to the contrast medium (iodine).

There is a slight chance of excessive blood loss, blood poisoning (sepsis), and inflammation of the bile ducts.


Special considerations

A PTCA may be done if an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ERCP) cannot be performed or has failed in the past.

An MRCP (magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) is a newer, non-invasive imaging method, based on MRI, which provides similar views of the bile ducts.



Review Date: 01/24/2007
Reviewed By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.


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