[Fine needle percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)].

The percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with thin needle was performed in 40 patients for the diagnostic clarification of epigastric complaints after cholecystectomy and of a cholestasis syndrome. A successful demonstration of the duct was achieved altogether in 80%, in an extrahepatic obstruction in 93.3%. The only complication was a choleresis into the free abdominal cavity, which could be operatively treated without any sequels. By the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in the majority of patients pathologic changes were diagnosed, which remained latent when up to now usual methods were performed and which had therapeutic consequences. The high exactness, the slight load of the patient, minimum cost and unproblematic sterilisation are essential advantages of the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography which justify a broader use. The complication rate may be kept low by the slight calibre of the needle and by suitable investigation technique.