Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, percutaneous hepatic cholangiogram, or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and drainage (PTCD) is a radiological technique used to visualize the anatomy of the biliary tract. A contrast medium is injected into a bile duct in the liver, after which X-rays are taken. It allows access to the biliary tree in cases where endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been unsuccessful. Initially reported in 1937, the procedure became popular in 1952.
