J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Dec;33(6):933-937.

Non-obstructive Biliary Dilatation After Gastrectomy for Gastric Carcinoma

• Sung NK
• Kim OD
• Lee YH
• Cheong HY
• Oh KH
• Lee CM
• Lee WH
• Cheong DS

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the incidence,. degree, and clinical significance of non-obstructive intrahepatic bile duct di'latation encountered on follow up CT after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed follow-up abdominal CT of 65 patients who had undergone gastrectomy with truncal vagotomy and subtotal gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma. We classified those patients who showed intrahepatic duct dilatation into non-obstructive or obstructive groups depending on the presence or absence of the lesions obstructing the duct. We also evaluated the incidence, degree and pattern, and appearance time of non-obstructive type of duct dilatation.
RESULTS
Non-obstructive and obstructive biliary dilatations were present in 8 cases(12.3%) and 9 cases(13. 8%), respectively. The degree of non-obstructive group was mild in 6 cases(75%) and moderate in 2 cases (25%) who had taken cholecystectomy during the follow up period, and patterns were proportional dilatation of the central and peripheral intrahepatic ducts. It appeared on follow up CT obtained 6 to 12 months after operation in 7 cases and 3.5 months in one case. No statistical significance was noted between the type of surgery and the incidence of non-obstructive dilatation(p>0.05).
CONCLUSION
Mild dilatation of the central intrahepatic ducts without evidence of mechanical biliary obstruction can be seen on follow-up CT obtained more than 6 months after gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma, and the incidence is about 12%. We think that this finding is non-obstructive and clinical evaluation is unnecessary.

MeSH Terms

Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic
Cholecystectomy
Dilatation*
Follow-Up Studies
Gastrectomy*
Humans
Incidence
Retrospective Studies
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Vagotomy, Truncal