Ultrasonic localization of the porta hepatis prior to percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.

Sixtyfour jaundiced patients were randomly allocated to have fine needle PTC performed with or without prior ultrasonographical localization of the porta hepatis. The general success rate was 97% and complications occurred in two patients (3%). Ultrasonography prior to PTC did not significantly reduce the number of needle passes in the liver parenchyma, the failure rate or the number of complications. Ultrasonic scanning, however, should precede PTC to disclose patients with obstructive jaundice and reveal hepatic and perihepatic abnormalities.