Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in obstructive jaundice

Although many invasive studies in the biliary tract disase are replaced by noninvasive techniques such asultrasonography and CT, PTC does still play an important role indiagnosis of obstructive jaundice. Authors hadperformed 42 patients of PTC with Chiba needle at the department of radiology, Han Gang Sacred Heart Hospital for4 years from Jan. 1978 to April 1982. And we reviewed literatures. The results were as follows; 1. Forty twopatients of PTC were 22 males and 20 females. The success rate was 90.5%(38/42). The failed 4 cases of PTC werenonobstructive hepatobiliary diseases. 2. The PTC diagnosis of 38 cases were biliary stone (21 cases),cholangiocarcinoma(7 cases), pancreatic carcinoma (2 cases), hepatoma (2 cases), ascariasis(2 cases), andclonorchiasis(1 case), and the remainders were normal. 3. We made 2 cases of misdiagnosis on the basis of PTCfindings. They were one case of distal CBD stone with severe cholangitis diagnosed as ampullary carcioma andanother case of proximal CBD stone with cholangitis diagnosed as pancreas carcinoma. 4. We experienced 2 cases ofcomplication such as sepsis and severe hypotension, but they were recovered.

A study on diagnostic value of oblique lumbar spine radiographs

A retrospective study was designed to determine the diagnostic contribution of oblique view in 740 consecutive lumbar spine examinations done in adults. In 12 cases (1.62%) there was a change in the radiographic interpretation when the oblique views were used for diagnosis. Considering the significant gonadal radiation, additional cost, and limited diagnostic value, the authors feel that the oblique view should not be a routine part of the initial lumbar spine examination in adults.