Purpose: 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.
Conclusion: We emphasize that our new technique may help during surgery as an aid to understanding anatomical structures in the biliary system.