Introduction To Cholangiography

Cholangiography is an examination to observe the structure, morphology, and abnormal lesions of the biliary tract by X-ray after oral administration or injection of a contrast agent into the biliary tract. Cholangiography can be divided into Percutaneous transhepatic biliary cholangiography, T-tube cholangiography, intravenous cholangiography, and oral cholangiography depending on the method and location of contrast administration.

When is cholangiography needed?

Tests are done for symptoms of biliary system abnormalities such as jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen, and indigestion.

What is the procedure for cholangiography?

Percutanous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD)

1. Fasting is required for 6 hours or more before inspection.
2. Following the inspector’s instructions, place your right arm over your head, sterilize the right flank puncture area, and keep it sterile.
3. After local anesthesia, the contrast agent is injected by entering the needle deep into the liver. When it is confirmed that the needle has entered the bile duct, the needle is fixed and bile is collected if necessary.
4. Slowly inject the contrast agent, and when the contrast agent is completely injected, change the position and take an X-ray.

T-tube cholangiography

1. Fasting is required for 6 hours or more before inspection.
2. After sufficiently draining bile and air into the discharge tube of the inserted T-tube, lower the head, inject contrast medium, and take an X-ray.
3. After shooting, connect the T-tube bag so that the contrast agent can be discharged.

Intravenous cholangiography

1. Fasting is required for 6 hours or more before inspection.
2. The contrast agent is injected into a vein and X-rayed.

Oral cholangiography

1. Fasting is required for 6 hours or more before inspection.
2. Take the contrast agent the day before the test and take an X-ray at 12 hours. This is because the concentration of the contrast agent in the gallbladder is highest, and the relaxation function of the gallbladder can be observed.
3. If the contour of the gallbladder is well observed, a fat diet is administered and X-ray is taken 30 minutes later. At this time, the contractile function of the gallbladder can be observed.
4. If the gallbladder is not well contrasted, the operator can increase the amount of contrast medium and perform it in the same way.

How do I get cholangiography test results?

After the correct reading is made, you can hear the explanation of the test result from the medical staff.

What are the precautions for cholangiography?

T-tube cholangiography should be managed to prevent contamination of the drainage tube connections.

Side effects such as burning, pain, itching, dyspnea, hypotension, and shock may occur due to the contrast medium used during the test. If you have experienced any side effects or hypersensitivity reactions to the contrast medium, or if you have an unusual specific constitution, be sure to notify your healthcare provider before testing.

Because it is an X-ray test, if you have confirmed pregnancy or there is a possibility of pregnancy, you should decide whether to do the test after consulting with a medical staff.