Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography in Turkey (PTC)
What is Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC)?
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) is a medical imaging procedure that provides detailed views of the bile ducts.
During this procedure, a thin, hollow needle is inserted through the skin and into the liver, allowing a special dye to be injected into the bile ducts. X-rays are then taken to create images of the ducts, gallbladder, and pancreas.
Why is Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography performed?
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography is often used when other imaging tests, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), have been unsuccessful or cannot be performed.
This procedure can help diagnose conditions such as:
- Blockages in the bile ducts
- Gallstones
- Tumors
- Infections
What are the benefits of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography?
- Diagnosis: PTC can help doctors identify the cause of symptoms like jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, and itching.
- Treatment: In some cases, PTC can be used to treat conditions like blockages by draining fluid or placing a stent to keep the bile duct open.
- Biopsy: During PTC, a small tissue sample (biopsy) can be taken for further examination.
What are the risks associated with Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography?
As with any medical procedure, there are potential risks associated with Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography, including:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Pain
- Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
How to prepare for Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography?
Before the procedure, you may need to:
- Fast for a certain period
- Avoid taking certain medications, such as blood thinners
- Inform your doctor about any allergies or medical conditions
What happens during Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography?
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography is typically performed under sedation or local anesthesia. A radiologist will guide the needle into the liver using imaging techniques like ultrasound. Once the needle is in place, a contrast dye is injected, and X-rays are taken.
Recovery after Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography
Most patients can go home the same day or the day after the procedure. It’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions for post-procedure care.
How is Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography performed?
Before the Procedure:
The procedure is conducted in the radiology department by an interventional radiologist. A radiology technician and a nurse will also be present to assist.
- Preparation: You’ll change into a hospital gown and lie on an X-ray table. A small tube (cannula) will be placed in your arm or hand to administer medication that will make you feel drowsy (sedation) and pain relievers. You’ll also receive antibiotics, either orally or by injection, to prevent infection.
- Monitoring: Throughout the procedure, a nurse will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels.
During the Procedure:
- Anesthesia: Your abdomen will be cleaned, and a local anesthetic will be injected into your skin to numb the area near your liver.
- Needle Insertion: A long, thin needle will be inserted through your skin into your liver and bile ducts. Ultrasound or X-ray imaging will guide the needle. You may feel some discomfort as the needle enters your liver. Inform your doctor or nurse if you experience any pain.
- Dye Injection: An X-ray machine will be positioned above you. A special dye (contrast material) will be injected into your bile ducts. You may feel a warm sensation as the dye spreads through your body. This is normal. The dye will show up on the X-ray, allowing the doctor to visualize any blockages.
- Biopsy: Your doctor may take samples of cells from your bile ducts using a brush (brush biopsy) or tissue samples (biopsies). These samples will be sent to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.
- Stent Placement: Your doctor may place a drainage tube or stent in your bile duct to relieve any blockage.
After the Procedure:
- Recovery: You’ll be moved to a recovery area after the procedure. You may feel drowsy and may not remember much about the procedure.
- Rest: You’ll need to lie still for about 6 hours to prevent bleeding. A nurse will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature regularly to ensure there are no complications. You may receive fluids through an IV.
- Hospital Stay: You’ll typically stay in the hospital overnight. Your nurse will provide you with contact information in case you experience any problems at home.
- Antibiotics: You may need to continue taking antibiotics for a few days after going home. Your pharmacist or nurse will instruct you on how long to take the antibiotics.
Benefits of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography
- Accurate Diagnosis: Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography provides a clear and detailed image of the bile ducts and liver, aiding in the accurate diagnosis of blockages or strictures.
- Therapeutic Potential: In some cases, therapeutic interventions like bile duct drainage or stent placement can be performed during the same procedure, reducing the need for additional surgeries.
- Alternative to ERCP: Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography can be used as an alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) when ERCP is not feasible or has been unsuccessful.
- Biopsy: Tissue or cell samples can be obtained during PTC for microscopic examination, helping to diagnose diseases such as cancer.
- Image-Guided Procedure: Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography is performed under X-ray or ultrasound guidance, increasing precision and minimizing the risks associated with needle placement.
- Minimally Invasive: Compared to open surgery, Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography is a less invasive procedure, resulting in shorter recovery times and less post-procedure pain.
- Comprehensive Evaluation: PTC can be used to assess the entire biliary system, aiding in the planning of appropriate treatment for each case.
Potential Risks
There are potential risks associated with Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography. Some can be serious and even life-threatening. Your doctor will make sure that the benefits of the test outweigh these risks.
- Bruising and Bleeding: You may experience some bleeding, which usually stops on its own. In some cases, the bleeding may be severe and you may need medication to stop it or even a blood transfusion.
- Infection: There is a risk of infection with this test. If you develop a fever or feel generally unwell, contact your doctor.
- Pancreatitis: You may experience mild inflammation of the pancreas. This can cause pain in your abdomen. Your doctor can give you pain medication to help control this. It is important to tell your nurse or doctor if you experience any abdominal pain. Pancreatitis can also be severe. You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days if this happens.
- Allergic Reaction: There is a risk of an allergic reaction to the sedation or dye. This can cause problems with breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. If this happens, the medical team will give you medications to control the reaction.
- Radiation Exposure: The amount of radiation you are exposed to from the X-ray during the test is small and will not cause you any discomfort. Talk to your doctor if this is a concern for you.
When to Contact Your Doctor?
Contact the hospital where you had the Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography if you have:
- Swelling or redness around the needle site
- Pain in your abdomen or shoulder
- A high temperature
- Signs of bleeding, including black or red stools
Getting Your Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography Results
- You should get your results within one to two weeks.
- Waiting for results can be worrying. Ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get your results. Contact the doctor who arranged the test if you haven’t heard anything after a few weeks.
- You may have the contact details of a specialist nurse who you can call for information if you need it. Talking to a close friend or relative about how you feel may help. You may want someone to come with you to get the results to support you.
Turkey Healthcare Group stands out with a team of distinguished medical experts in Turkey, who always strive to provide the best healthcare services to patients.
If you are looking for exceptional healthcare or need medical consultation from top doctors, feel free to contact us.
We also invite you to view our leading medical staff and get to know their qualifications and experiences up close.
We are here to ensure you receive the best possible healthcare.
