Cholangiography is a concept that covers various methods of examining the bile ducts and the pancreas. There are retrograde, percutaneous, intraoperative and postoperative cholangiography. What is this research about? How to prepare for them?

Cholangiographyis a radiological examination of the bile ducts, i.e. the ducts supplying bile from the liver to the duodenum, and the pancreatic duct. Currently, there are cholangiography: intraoperative, postoperative, percutaneous and retrograde. The aim of all tests is to obtain an image of the bile ducts and the pancreatic duct.

Cholangiography is often performed withcholecystography- radiographic examination of the gallbladder (bladder).

Cholangiography - indications

  • jaundice of unknown cause (you can check if it is intra- or extra-hepatic)

Cholangiography cannot be performed on pregnant women or women who may be pregnant

  • suspicion of bile duct stones (the examination reveals any obstacles in the outflow of bile)
  • bile duct cancer suspected
  • symptoms of chronic pancreatic disease
  • epigastric pains
  • assessment of the condition of the bile ducts - before or after surgery (e.g. gallbladder removal)

Cholangiography - how to prepare?

The patient must not eat or drink at least 6 hours before the examination. The doctor, in turn, should perform an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity through cholangiography.

Before the examination, inform your doctor about pregnancy (it is an absolute contraindication), as well as about circulatory diseases (e.g. coronary heart disease or bleeding tendency), you are taking the doctor (especially if these are anticoagulants), and about glaucoma, allergies and shortness of breath.

Cholangiography - what is it?

In classical cholangiography, the subject is administered a contrast agent - orally (on the day before the test) or intravenously (about half an hour before the test). The contrast agent will accumulate in the liver, from where - along with bile - it will be discharged through the bile ducts to the duodenum. Then, x-rays are taken, which are visible on the x-ray monitor.The contrast agent can also be specified in other ways:

  • endoscopic retrograde cholangiography(ERCP) - the contrast agent is administered with the use of an endoscope (fibroscope) introduced via the gastrointestinal route to the biliary outlet in the duodenum
  • percutaneous cholangiography- the contrast agent is administered through the body shell to the liver with a special needle - under ultrasound guidance and local anesthesia
  • intraoperative cholangiography(interventional) - the contrast agent is injected directly into the bile ducts with a syringe during surgery (e.g. during laparoscopic cholecystectomy). It allows you to see any damage during the procedure, so they can be repaired immediately and avoid serious consequences
  • postoperative cholangiography- the contrast agent is inserted through the drain left by the surgeon in the bile duct. If it is called Dren Kehra, talk aboutcholangiography by Dren Kehra

After examining the bile ducts and pancreatic duct, the patient should stay in bed for several hours.

Cholangiography - complications

After cholangiography, acute inflammation of the pancreas, bile ducts and pancreatic pseudocysts may occur.

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Research