Application of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice

Objective: To explore the clinical value of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) in the diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice, and compare ultrasound-guided PTC (U-PTC) with routine X-ray-guided PTC (X-PTC). Methods: 12 cases of U-PTC were compared with 31 cases of X-PTC performed in our hospital from July 2001 to March 2004. Results: Both of the two manipulations could provide abundant diagnostic information for malignant obstructive jaundice, but U-PTC had more advantages than X-PTC. Conclusions: PTC has its specific advantages in the diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice. U-PTC has many merits when comparing with PTC, such as shorter operation time, higher successful rate, fewer complications, and less painful to the patient. It can be used more popular in clinical practice.