title: Radiology of the biliary tree.
abstract: Multiple radiographic procedures are available for the diagnosis of biliary tract disease. Some of these diagnostic tests have been used for many years and are well understood. More recent developments include percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, radionuclide imaging, ultrasound, and computerized tomography. It is important that the clinician be fully aware of all aspects of these studies in order to proceed most efficiently toward an accurate diagnosis. In addition to these diagnostic studies, radiologic interventional procedures are useful. Removal of retained calculi through the T-tube tract is a well accepted technique that is widely available. More recently, percutaneous biliary drainage procedures have been shown to be valuable in some patients with obstructive jaundice. Biliary tract disease continues to be a major health problem in most parts of the world, and a thorough understanding of available radiologic diagnostic and interventional procedures is important for all physicians.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D002758:Cholangiography / Q000379:methods; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002765:Cholecystography; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D003287:Contrast Media; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D011860:Radiography, Abdominal
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media