Application of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography for common bile duct calculi in Maltese patients

Abstract

We have studied 6 patients with calculi in the biliary tree who had presented with: jaundice in 2 patients; gall-stone pancreatitis in 2 patients; recurrent cholangitis in 1 patient; and recurrent abdominal pain in 1 patient. A preliminary abdominal ultrasound or computerised tomographic scan had demonstrated a dilated biliary tree in all patients. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography using the "skinny" Chiba needle technique was performed and this showed clear evidence of stones and their location in all 6 cases. The number and position of the stones was confirmed at subsequent operation. There were no complications resulting from the procedure. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is a reliable method for demonstrating the biliary system and provides an accurate pre-operative assessment of biliary tract calculi.