Chiba-Needle Percutaneous Cholangiography - A Method Without Risk to the Patient?

Summary

This critical review of PTC with the skinny needle was prompted by an unexpected complication - an intrahepatic hematoma. A negative PTC does not exclude the presence of dilated bile ducts. In the case of an obstructed biliary tree, bile leakage occurs in approximately 5 %. Even after the Chiba needle or other techniques have become established, peritoneoscopy is still of value in the diagnosis of cholestasis. Thus, this method is not without some risk and optimistic reports should be judged with a certain reserve.

Key words:

Chiba-needle - Bleeding - Patient's risk