Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography
Other namesPercutaneous hepatic cholangiogram
ICD-9-CM87.51
OPS-301 code3-13c.1

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, percutaneous hepatic cholangiogram (PTHC) is a radiological technique used to visualize the anatomy of the biliary tract. A contrast medium is injected into a bile duct in the liver, after which X-rays are taken. It allows access to the biliary tree in cases where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has been unsuccessful. Initially reported in 1937, the procedure became popular in 1952.