Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC)

Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) is a medical procedure used to visualize the bile ducts in the liver. It involves inserting a thin needle through the skin into the liver and injecting a contrast dye. This dye helps highlight the bile ducts on X-ray images, allowing doctors to identify blockages, stones, or other issues affecting bile flow. PTC is particularly useful for diagnosing problems when other imaging methods are inadequate. It can also provide a pathway for further treatment, such as draining bile from blocked ducts.