Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the Chiba Needle.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography using the Chiba needle has been performed on 102 patients. There was an overall success rate of 86 out of 102 cases (84%). Dilated bile ducts were successfully demonstrated in 61 out of 65 patients (94%) and non-dilated ducts in 25 out of 37 patients (70%). Gallbladder filling was achieved in 40 out of 70 cases (67%). The hepatic lymphatics were filled in 32 cases but dilated lymphatics were mainly seen in patients with biliary cirrhosis, inflammatory liver disease or lymphoma. It is suggested that an excessive radiation dose may be given to the radiologist's fingers unless the fluoroscopy diaphrams are kept well coned down. Complications requiring active medical intervention occurred in three cases and emergency surgery in one case.