Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis in healthy cats.

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis (PUC) is a minimally invasive technique for bile collection that is used successfully in human patients with cholecystitis. Its use in veterinary medicine for evaluation of hepatobiliary disorders has been limited because of the perceived unacceptable risk of bile peritonitis. An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of PUC, to collect data on bile cytology and bacteriologic culture, and to attempt to isolate Helicobacter spp.