nutch_noindex
Search Icon
    Menu Button
    Stanford Medicine Children's Health
    DonateContactMyChart LoginFind a Doctor
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • Contact
    • Refer a Patient
    • En Español
    • Our Locations
    • Medical Services
    • About Us
    • Research & Innovation
    • Patients & Visitors
    • For Health Professionals
    • Second Opinion
    • Donate
    • En Español
    • MyChart Login
    • Recently Visited
      • Our Locations
      • Medical Services
      • About Us
      • Research & Innovation
      • Patients & Visitors
      • For Health Professionals
      CANCEL
      • View More Results

      Loading...

      COVID-2019 Alert

      The latest information about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus, including vaccine clinics for children ages 6 months and older.

      La información más reciente sobre el nuevo Coronavirus de 2019, incluidas las clínicas de vacunación para niños de 6 meses en adelante.

      /nutch_noindex

       


      Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiogram

      A percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram, or PTC, is an X-ray of the bile ducts (also called the biliary ducts). Bile is a substance that helps digest fats. It is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. After meals, it is excreted into the intestines via the bile ducts.

      Radiologists and other doctors use the images to determine if the ducts are underdeveloped or blocked. If the ducts are blocked, the doctor may place a drainage catheter. PTC is sometimes performed at the same time as a liver biopsy .

      Procedure

      Using ultrasound and live X-ray (fluoroscopy) for guidance, the radiologist will insert a small needle through the skin and liver and into one of the bile ducts. Then the radiologist will inject X-ray dye into the ducts and X-ray images will be obtained. Your child will be protected by an X-ray shield during this procedure. A bandage will be placed over the injection site following the procedure.

      Anesthesia

      Patients receive either IV sedation or general anesthesia and are asleep for this procedure.

      Risks

      The procedure is considered low-risk. However, potential complications include:

      • bleeding
      • infection
      • injury to the gallbladder
      • bile leak (biloma)
      • puncture of the lung (very rare)
      • allergic reaction to X-ray dye (contrast reaction)

      Pain

      Some children feel pain or discomfort at the needle-insertion site, usually in the first day or two after the procedure. You may give your child over-the-counter pain medication to ease discomfort.

      Bathing

      Leave the bandage on for 48 hours and keep it dry. After 48 hours, you may remove the clear bandage and gauze. Do not remove the white Steri-Strips®. If a drainage catheter was placed, it will be secured with a StatLock® locking device which must not be removed.

      After 48 hours, your child may shower or have a sponge bath, but you should continue to keep the area dry. Do not submerge the site in water (bath or pool) until the white Steri-Strips have fallen off.

      Related Links

      • Interventional Radiology
      • Preparing for your Interventional Radiology Visit

        nutch_noindex
        • About Us
        • Contact
        • MyChart Login
        • Careers
        • Blog
        • Refer a Patient
        • Download from App Store Download From Google Play
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy Policy
        • Code of Conduct

        © 2023 Stanford Medicine Children's Health

        About

        • About Us
        • Our Hospital
        • Patient Stories
        • Blog
        • News
        • Send a Greeting Card
        • New Hospital
        • Careers

        Connect

        • Donate
        • Refer a Patient
        • Contact Us
        • Pay Your Bill

        Find

        • Doctors
        • Locations
        • Services
        • Classes
        Download from App Store Download From Google Play

        Also Find Us on:

        • facebook
        • twitter
        • youtube
        • linkedin
        US News & World Report Badge
        • Stanford Medicine
        • Stanford University
        • Stanford Health Care
        • Lucile Packard Foundation
        • Notice of Nondiscrimination
        • Terms of Use
        • Privacy Policy
        • Code of Conduct
        • © 2023 Stanford MEDICINE Children's Health
        /nutch_noindex
        shareprint