Rotational three-dimensional cholangiography--initial clinical experience.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and image quality of a novel biliary imaging technique that obtains 3D cholangiography image sets by infusing contrast material through a PTC-drainage tube, using 3D-digital subtraction angiography (DSA).


METHODS
We applied this technique to seven patients suspected of having biliary disease. All patients underwent PTCD because of obstructive jaundice. Contrast material was introduced through the drainage tube, and the raw data were then transferred automatically to a workstation. Approximately 3 minutes of user time was required to generate the 3D images following image acquisition.


RESULTS
Three-dimensional cholangiography was obtained in all patients who underwent 3D-DSA examination. Acceptable quality 3D-DSA cholangiograms were generated in six of the seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
We emphasize that our new technique may help during surgery as an aid to understanding anatomical structures in the biliary system.
Uchida
Masafumi
M
Department of Radiology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abe
Toshi
T
Nishimura
Kazunori
K
Hashimoto
Mitsuo
M
Tamae
Tsuyoshi
T
Hayabuchi
Naofumi
N
D000368:Aged; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D002758:Cholangiography / Q000379:methods*; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003287:Contrast Media