Cholangiography is a test used to evaluate the bile ducts, allowing you to visualize the path from liver bile to the duodenum, which is useful for diagnosing any blockages of the bile ducts, such as in the case of a tumor, tartar, or other foreign body in these areas.In addition, this test can also be used to evaluate other lesions, stenosis, or dilations in these ducts.
There are several types of cholangiography that may be prescribed according to your doctor’s suspicions:
- This method consists of the administration of a contrast medium to the bloodstream.
- Which will then be eliminated by bile.
- Then images are obtained every 30 minutes that will allow to study the bile ducts.
- This technique is indicated when the gallbladder is not visible in an oral cholecystogram.
- In people who have previously removed it or who cannot use the contrast product.
This technique is performed by inserting a probe into the endoscopy device, which is inserted from the mouth to the duodenum, the probe is inserted into the Vater bulb, where the contrast product is administered, and then an X-ray is performed at the contrast site.
To perform this method, you should fast for about 6 hours and you are given a sedative to avoid pain and discomfort.
In this method, the test is done during gallbladder removal surgery, called cholecystectomy, in which a contrast product is given and several x-rays are performed.
This technique is performed after gallbladder removal surgery, with the aim of evaluating the bile ducts after removal, in order to prevent complications that can be caused by residual stones not detected during surgery.
During this surgery, a drainage of Kehr is placed in the main bile duct, so that the contrast that will allow evaluation of the gall tree after gallbladder removal surgery and remove the stones through a special catheter is subsequently injected.Images from this test are obtained by MRI.
This test should not be performed by people with contrast hypersensitivity, gallstone infections, who have high levels of creatine or urea.
Although rare, side effects that may occur due to performing this test are gallstone damage, pancreatitis, internal bleeding and infections.