Thin Needle Cholangiography

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Abstract
Thin needle cholangiography (TNC) was performed in 50 patients with obstructive jaundice or jaundice of obscure origin. The diagnostic accuracy and safety of this procedure were studied. TNC was performed by the technique described by Redeker et al. using the Chiba needle. Obstructed ducts were successfully demonstrated in 100% of cases (29/29). Non-obstructed ducts were opacified in 12/21 (57%). Overall success was 82% (41/50). Two septic complications occurred. TNC is a highly reliable, easy to perform and safe procedure in the evaluation of the jaundiced patient; accurate demonstration of the biliary anatomy by TNC provided important information which often in (10/50 = 20%) led to a change in diagnosis, avoidance of unnecessary procedure and shortening of hospitalization; failure to visualize patients with non-dilated biliary ducts occurred with advanced chronic liver disease or fatty liver.