Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography utilizing the Chiba University needle.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the Chiba University needle has been performed in 42 patients with cholestasis. The examination was successful in 100% of patients with dilated intrahepatic bile ducts and in 89% of those with normal-size ducts. Complications were minimal. The results of this study suggest that PTC with the Chiba needle is superior to the current conventional methods. The patients with intrahepatic cholestasis, which often simulates extrahepatic biliary obstruction, were spared an unnecessary laparotomy.