EDITORIAL SYNOPSIS The technique of percutaneous cholangiography using a polyethylene tube threaded on to a fine needle and removing the needle as soon as the liver is entered is described, with its advantages and results.Complications are reduced to a minimum if, when a dilated biliary tree is found, operation is carried out the same day, preferably within about two hours.The biliary tree was successfully outlined in 29 out of 39 instances in patients with strictures of the bile ducts.In none of these cases had the biliary tree been satisfactorily outlined by oral or intravenous cholangiography.PREPARATION OF THE PATIENT IN THE WARD The pro- thrombin time is checked and corrected, if necessary, by administration of vitamin K.The patient is tested for sensitivity to the contrast material.The abdominal skin is prepared in the ward and food and drink are withheld on the morning of the procedure.The patient is premedicated with pethidine 50 to 100 mg. and scopolamine 0 4 to 0-6 mg. 45minutes before the time of the x-ray examin- ation.Tetracycline cover is started the day before the examination and continued for five days.

Journal Article The value of percutaneous cholangiography Get access Phyllis George, Phyllis George Departments of Surgery, Radiology, and Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar W B Young, W B Young Departments of Surgery, Radiology, and Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar J G Walker, J G Walker Departments of Surgery, Radiology, and Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar Sheila Sherlock Sheila Sherlock Departments of Surgery, Radiology, and Medicine, Royal Free Hospital, London Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Surgery, Volume 52, Issue 10, October 1965, Pages 779–783, https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.1800521020 Published: 06 December 2005

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography has been performed by introducing contrast material through a polyethylene catheter into the liver. This catheter may be left in situ after the cholangiogram, permitting biliary drainage and so reducing the risk of biliary peritonitis. In 24 of 30 patients with the clinical picture of obstructive jaundice a bile duct was punctured and bile was aspirated. In 22 of these patients cholangiograms demonstrated obstruction to main bile ducts. In the other 6, no bile ducts were f ound and in 4 of these subsequent operative cholangiography demonstrated no intrahepatic biliary dilation. These 6 patients were believed to be suffering from primary biliary cirrhosis.

A case is described of a young male Chinese who presented with classical signs of coarctation of the aorta.

A case suffering from actinomycosis of the lung with secondary involvement of the spine has been presented.