The use of ultrasound contrast agents for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of extravascular contrast enhanced ultrasound (EV-CEUS) in ultrasound (US) guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (PTCD) and assessing complications. Patients and methods: 38 patients underwent PTCD due to primary or secondary bile duct obstruction. After the needle and catheter were inserted into the bile duct, the ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) (0.1 ml of SonoVue® in 20 ml saline) was injected to confirm the correct insertion. The site and the degree of the obstruction were identified. Fluoroscopy was performed as the gold sta…