Which term describes the imaging test that uses contrast to visualize the biliary ducts?

Which term describes the imaging test that uses contrast to visualize the biliary ducts?

• A. Ultrasound
• B. Cholecystography
• C. Cholangiography
• D. Hysterosalpingography

Answer: (C)

Cholangiography is the imaging test that uses contrast to visualize the biliary ducts. The biliary ducts carry bile from the liver to the intestine, and introducing a radiopaque contrast into this system makes the ducts appear clearly on X-ray images. This helps identify obstructions, stones, strictures, or leaks within the ductal tree. There are common methods, such as ERCP, where an endoscope is used to inject contrast into the bile ducts from the duodenum, or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, where contrast is introduced directly through the skin into a bile duct. By contrast, ultrasound relies on sound waves and typically doesn’t use contrast to map the ducts; cholecystography images the gallbladder itself, not the entire biliary tree; hysterosalpingography examines the uterus and fallopian tubes with contrast.

Cholangiography is the imaging test that uses contrast to visualize the biliary ducts. The biliary ducts carry bile from the liver to the intestine, and introducing a radiopaque contrast into this system makes the ducts appear clearly on X-ray images. This helps identify obstructions, stones, strictures, or leaks within the ductal tree. There are common methods, such as ERCP, where an endoscope is used to inject contrast into the bile ducts from the duodenum, or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, where contrast is introduced directly through the skin into a bile duct. By contrast, ultrasound relies on sound waves and typically doesn’t use contrast to map the ducts; cholecystography images the gallbladder itself, not the entire biliary tree; hysterosalpingography examines the uterus and fallopian tubes with contrast.