Details of Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC)

Biliary drainage is a procedure to restore the flow of bile. It can be done through stents to hold open a bile duct being affected by cancer. Biliary drainage helps relieve signs and symptoms of cholangiocarcinoma.

May include:

• Jaundice
• Dark urine
• Itching
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

May include:

• Gallstones impacted in the ducts
• Narrowings in the bile ducts
• Previous surgery

These tests may be recommended:

• Liver function tests
• Tumor marker tests
• Imaging tests like CT, MRI and X-rays
• Test of bile duct
• Tests of tissues

During this procedure, the biliary drainage procedure may be extended with the placement of a permanent plastic or metal stent across the site of the bile duct blockage. These stents generally inserted after few days of the initial procedure. This keeps the congested duct open without the need for a catheter.

Which may increase the risks:

• Chronic liver disease.
• Liver parasite.
• Older age.
• Smoking.