The value of ultrasonography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography in determining the site and etiology of biliary obstruction with surgical jaundice was studied in 30 patients. All diagnoses were subsequently made by surgery and pathology. The results were as follows: 1. In ultrasonography, the site of obstruction was delineated in 46% while the etiology of the lesion was established in 40% In comparison, percutaneous transhepatic cholagiography delineated the site in 100% and the etiology in 93% 2. Although the percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is invasive to the human body, it is considered to be the single procedure of choice in the management of the patient with biliary obstructive jaundice because of its diagnostic accuracy, technical simplicity and relative safety.