What is the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography used for?

What is the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography used for?

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTHC or PTC), percutaneous hepatic cholangiogram, or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (PTCD) is a radiological technique used to visualize the anatomy of the biliary tract.

How do you do a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography?

PTC (percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography): A very small skin incision is made at the site. A thin needle is inserted through the skin below the ribs and into the liver using x-ray (fluoroscopy) guidance. A contrast material is injected into the liver and bile ducts and x-rays are taken.

When should a percutaneous transhepatic Cholangiogram PTC be performed?

Purely diagnostic percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is performed when other less invasive methods of imaging the biliary tree (e.g. MRCP, ERCP, CT IVC) have proven unsatisfactory. Indications include: failed ERCP / ERCP not feasible (e.g. patients with gastrojejunostomy)

Is PTC invasive?

PTC is more invasive and painful than ERCP, mainly because the PTC procedure involves puncturing the liver capsule. It also poses the risks of hemoperitoneum and bile peritonitis.

How long does a PTC procedure take?

What to Expect During Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiogram (PTC) A percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram generally takes about one hour to complete.

What is PTC medical condition?

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder of elevated spinal fluid pressure in the brain. PTC is a condition important to recognize because it may lead to progressive loss of vision over time – which may be permanent.

What is PTC in blood?

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) is a test to find out the cause of a blockage in your bile duct.

What is a PTC in school?

A Parent-Teacher Conference (PTC) is a meeting with the teacher and parents to discuss your child’s academic progress. Your child’s teacher will go over the report card at the PTC and give you time to ask questions. There are no parent-teacher conferences for middle and high schools.

What is a pseudo brain tumor?

Pseudotumor cerebri is a brain condition that causes the same symptoms as a brain tumor: headaches, vision problems, nausea, and dizziness. But it’s not a tumor. “Pseudotumor” means “false tumor.” It’s caused by increased pressure around the brain. It can be hard to tell a pseudotumor from a real tumor.

Is pseudotumor a disability?

If pseudotumor cerebri causes your eyesight to be 20/200 or worse, you will medically qualify for disability benefits. If you don’t meet the specific criteria for a condition in the Blue Book, you can still win your disability claim by using the medical-vocational allowance.

Can pseudotumor be cured?

The name means “false brain tumor” because its symptoms are similar to those caused by brain tumors. It’s also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension. This condition is treatable, but it can return in some cases.

How is pseudotumor diagnosed?

Diagnosis of Pseudotumor Cerebri Brain imaging such as MRI or CT scans. A lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to confirm the elevated pressure (normal is less than 25 cm) and withdraw a sample of fluid from around the spine for testing to exclude infectious and inflammatory causes of raised pressure.

What foods should be avoided with pseudotumor cerebri?

You may need to limit the amount of fats and salt you eat. You may also need to limit foods rich in vitamin A and tyramine. Foods rich in vitamin A include beef liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, and leafy greens. Food and drinks that are high in tyramine include cheese, pepperoni, salami, beer, and wine.

What is an inflammatory pseudotumor?

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IPT) is a term used to describe a benign and rare process most commonly involving the lung and orbit but found in nearly every site in the body. This entity has been described by several names and histologic presentations and as mimicking neoplastic processes.

What are the symptoms of too much spinal fluid?

Physical signs and symptoms

• Headache.
• Blurred or double vision.
• Eyes fixed downward (sunsetting of eyes)
• Abnormal enlargement of a toddler’s head.
• Sleepiness or lethargy.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Unstable balance.
• Poor coordination.

How do you get rid of excess spinal fluid?

A shunt is a permanent drain made of plastic tubing. It can be surgically placed so that excess cerebrospinal fluid can be removed. The shunt is placed in the spaces within the brain or in the space just below the spinal cord in the lower back.

What happens if you drain too much CSF?

It is possible that the puncture of the ventricle or the opening of the dura will result in an intracranial hemorrhage. It is possible that if too much CSF is removed from the ventricles, either during a drainage procedure or when the ventricle is first punctured, the ventricle may collapse and occlude the catheter.

Can you have too much spinal fluid?

Hydrocephalus occurs when too much fluid builds up in the brain; specifically, excess CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) accumulates in the cavities (ventricles) of the brain. There are more than 100 possible causes of hydrocephalus, but the underlying reasons are: Too much CSF is produced.

What is considered high spinal fluid pressure?

The diagnosis is also confirmed by detecting a high spinal CSF pressure reading, usually greater than 250 mmH2O or 25 cmH2O (200-250 mmH2O or 20-25 cmH2O is considered borderline high) and normal laboratory and imaging studies including CT scans and MRIs.

How can I lower my CSF pressure?

Effective treatments to reduce pressure include draining the fluid through a shunt via a small hole in the skull or through the spinal cord. The medications mannitol and hypertonic saline can also lower pressure. They work by removing fluids from your body.

What does a CSF leak feel like?

The most common symptoms of a spinal CSF leak are: Positional headaches, which feel worse when sitting upright and better when lying down; caused by intracranial hypotension. Nausea and vomiting. Neck pain or stiffness.

Can CSF leaks come and go?

Patients who have had a CSF leak have described the fluid as having a salty or metallic taste. Dr. Frank P.K. Hsu, chair of the department of neurological surgery at UC Irvine Health, said that the fluid may also “come and go.”

Is CSF leak an emergency?

A CSF leak is a serious health issue. It involves this type of fluid escaping through a tear in the dura mater. The symptoms of a CSF leak include fluid drainage from the ears or nose and a headache that worsens when the head is upright.

How do you treat a CSF leak at home?

In many cases, a CSF leak will heal on its own accord following conservative treatment, including strict bed rest, increased fluid intake and caffeine. Conservative treatment and the tincture of time is not always enough, however.

What happens if CSF leak is not treated?

Untreated CSF leaks can lead to life-threatening meningitis, brain infections, or stroke. UT Southwestern specialists offer rapid, accurate diagnosis of this dangerous condition, world-class surgical services to correct it, and pre- and post-surgical care that optimizes each patient’s treatment and recovery.

Why Is caffeine good for CSF leak?

The caffeine in coffee is thought to increase CSF production, thereby helping to reduce headache severity in those with spinal CSF leaks.

When should you suspect a CSF leak?

The most common and classic symptom suggestive of a spinal CSF leak is a positional headache: a headache that is worse when upright and improved when positioned horizontally. It is not unusual for the headache to become less positional over time, or for the positional aspect to resolve entirely.

What do you do if you suspect a CSF leak?

If a leak is suspected, referral to a specialist with expertise in this area is recommended. This may be a neurologist (particularly those with an interest in headaches), neurosurgeon or neuroradiologist. Many patients will undergo a CT brain early in their presentation that may be reported as normal.

How do you check for CSF leak?

To determine the exact location of the leak, a CT cisternogram would be performed. A CT cisternogram involves using a contrast injected into the spinal fluid through a spinal tap and then performing CT scans. This test identifies the exact location of the CSF leak and the pathway of the drainage into the nose.

Can you have a CSF leak with no symptoms?

In a small minority of patients with CSF leak, CSF pressure may be normal although patients continue to have symptoms and abnormal MRI findings.