Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Gallstones, cholangiogram

Gallbladder anatomy

Overview

Risks

Results

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTCA)

Alternative Names:

Cholangiogram - PTCA; PTCA

Normal Values:

The bile ducts are normal in size and appearance for the age of the patient.

What abnormal results mean:

The results may show that the ducts are enlarged, which may indicate the ducts are blocked. The blockage may be caused by infection, scarring, or stones. It may also indicate cancer in the bile ducts, liver, pancreas, or region of the gallbladder.

See also:

Blocked bile ducts
Cholangitis (infection in common bile duct)

Review Date: 1/24/2005
Reviewed By: Jeffrey J. Brown, M.D., F.A.C.R., Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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