Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)
Key points
- Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA) is a type of X-ray examination of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, performed after a contrast medium is injected directly into a liver bile duct.
- The test is performed in a radiology department by a radiologist.
- Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant.
- The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust.
Definition
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA) is a type of X-ray examination of the bile ducts inside and outside the liver, performed after a contrast medium is injected directly into a liver bile duct.
How the test is performed
The test is performed in a radiology department by a radiologist. You will be asked to lie on your back on the X-ray table. The upper right side of the abdomen is cleansed and a local anesthetic is given. A long, thin, flexible needle is then inserted through the skin into the liver.
With guidance from the fluoroscope (an X-ray machine that projects images onto a TV screen), the bile duct is located and the contrast medium injected. The contrast medium then flows through the ducts and can be seen on the fluoroscopic monitor.
How to prepare for the test
Inform the health care provider if you are pregnant. You will be given a hospital gown to wear and will be asked to remove all jewelry.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
- Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
- School age test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
- Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)
How the test will feel
There will be a sting as the anesthetic is given and some discomfort as the needle is advanced into the liver. You may be given medication for sedation and/or pain control. Generally, an X-ray causes little or no discomfort.
Why the test is performed
Bile is a by-product of protein metabolism which is created in the liver and excreted into the intestines via the bile ducts. If bile cannot be removed from the body, it collects in the blood and is seen as a yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.