- Types and how they are made
- 1. Intravenous cholangiography
- 2. Endoscopic cholangiography
- 3. Intraoperative cholangiography
- 4. Magnetic resonance cholangiography
- When this exam should not be performed
- Side effects
Cholangiography is an exam that serves to evaluate the bile ducts, and which allows visualizing the path of bile from the liver to the duodenum, which is useful for the diagnosis of any obstruction in the bile ducts, as can happen in the case of a tumor, calculus or another foreign body in these regions. In addition, this test also helps to assess other injuries, strictures or dilation in these ducts.
Types and how they are made
There are several types of cholangiography that can be ordered according to the doctor's suspicion:
1. Intravenous cholangiography
This method consists of administering a contrast in the blood stream, which will then be eliminated by the bile. After that, images are obtained every 30 minutes, which will allow to study the bile ducts. This technique is indicated for when the gallbladder cannot be seen in an oral cholecystogram, in people who have previously removed it or who cannot use the contrast.
2. Endoscopic cholangiography
This technique is performed by inserting a probe into the endoscopy device, which is introduced from the mouth to the duodenum. The probe is inserted into the Vater Ampoule, where the contrast product is administered and then an X-ray is made at the site of the contrast.
To perform this method, you should fast for about 6 hours and a sedative is administered to avoid pain and discomfort.
3. Intraoperative cholangiography
In this method, the exam is done during gallbladder removal surgery, called cholecystectomy, in which a contrast product is administered and several X-rays are performed.
4. Magnetic resonance cholangiography
This technique is performed after gallbladder removal surgery, with the objective of evaluating the bile ducts after this removal, in order to prevent complications that can be caused by residual stones not detected during the surgery.
In the course of this surgery, a Kehr drain is placed in the main bile duct, so that a time later, the contrast that will allow the assessment of the biliary tree after the gallbladder removal surgery and to remove the stones through a special catheter is injected.. The images of this exam are obtained by means of magnetic resonance.
When this exam should not be performed
This test should not be performed by people with contrast hypersensitivity, infections of the biliary system, who have high levels of creatine or urea.
Side effects
Although not very common, the side effects that can occur due to the performance of this test are damage to the bile ducts, pancreatitis, internal bleeding and infections.
