Percutaneous transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein: A combined CT- and fluoroscopy-guided technique

Combined CT- and fluoroscopy-guided transhepatic portal vein catheterizatio n was performed in 44 patients selected for pancreatic islet cell transplan tation. The method allowed catheterization with a single puncture attempt i n 39 patients. In four patients two attempts and in one patient four attemp ts were necessary. One minor hematoma of the liver capsule occurred that re quired no further treatment. Compared with other methods the average number of puncture attempts was reduced.