[The transjugular approach to the hepatic region for the differential diagnosis of jaundice and exploration of the portal system (author's transl)].

The results obtained in a series of 200 patients, using the transjugular approach to the common bile duct for the differential diagnosis of cholestasis, are presented and discussed. 1. The advantages of the method are: --the simplicity of the technique and the rapidity with which it can be mastered, the negligeable investment required; --the safety in use if the only contra-indication is respected: recent acute infection of the biliary tract; --the possibility of obtaining a cholangiography and a liver needle-biopsy at the same time, even in cases with disorders of the blood. 2. The limitation of the method is the failure to visualize the CBD, which is seen in 30% of cases when the latter is not dilated by an obstruction. 3. The respective indications for either transjugular cholangiography or retrograde catheterization of the papilla can be defined. 4. A preliminary series of 37 explorations of the portal system by the transjugular approach with embolization of bleeding oesophageal varices is reported.