Combined use of ultrasonography and transhepatic percutaneous cholangiography in obstructive jaundice.

The authors have evaluated the results of ultrasonography (US) and transhepatic percutaneous cholangiography (PTC) in 85 patients. The comparative results of US and PTC in the diagnosis of the level (proximal or distal) and the nature (benign or malignant) of the obstruction and in the evaluation of the extension and the site of the lesion are illustrated. PTC is superior in the evaluation of the level and the nature of the obstruction while US gives more information about extension and site of the lesion. It is concluded that US and PTC should be considered as two complementary modalities.