Cholangiography is a medical procedure that involves injecting a special dye into the bile ducts to examine for blockages and narrowings. There are different types of cholangiography, and risks include pain, bleeding, and toxic effects on the kidneys.
A cholangiography is a medical procedure performed to visualize the biliary tree or bile ducts. The biliary tree is the structure through which bile, which is produced in the liver, passes before going to the intestines to digest fats eaten during a meal. This test usually involves the use of a special dye injected into the patient’s bile ducts and followed by a series of X-rays. It is often done to examine the area for blockages and narrowings, which can lead to cholangitis or inflammation of the duct bile. Symptoms of cholangitis are fever, abdominal pain, yellowing of the skin, and enlarged liver.
There are several types of cholangiography. These include percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and postoperative cholangiography. They usually differ in the process of introducing the dye into the biliary tree.
For example, in PTC, a long needle is injected into the abdomen to place the dye into the biliary tree. In ERCP, an endoscope, which is a flexible tube with a camera attached to the end, is usually inserted into the patient’s mouth until it reaches the first part of the small intestine. Through this, a thin tube or catheter is then inserted into the bile ducts followed by the injection of the dye into the area. Patients undergoing surgery to remove their gallbladder often have a T-shaped tube inserted into their bile duct after surgery. For postoperative cholangiography, dye is introduced through this T-shaped tube.
After the dye is introduced into the patient’s biliary tree, a series of radiographs is taken. The x-ray films are then read by a radiologist, a doctor who is experienced in interpreting the results of imaging tests. When there is no blockage, the dye usually flows continuously. Its absence in any section of the biliary tree often indicates an obstruction. Causes of bile duct obstruction include cysts, tumors or cancer in the area, and bile duct stones, among others.
Before undergoing the procedure, patients are usually instructed to fast for at least eight hours. They can also be sedated during the process. The entire procedure usually takes 30 minutes to an hour. Test results are often released two or three days later.
There are some risks involved in cholangiography. These include pain at the injection site and bleeding which can show up as bloody stools. Using the special dye can also be toxic to the kidneys. Other side effects of cholangiography include vomiting, dry mouth, blurred vision, and severe allergic reactions.
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