Korean J Pancreas Biliary Tract.  2017 Jul;22(3):118-122. 10.15279/kpba.2017.22.3.118.

The Clinical Approach for Asymptomatic Bile Duct Dilatation

• Cho CM

• KMID: 2448605
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15279/kpba.2017.22.3.118

Abstract

Although asymptomatic bile duct dilatation was commonly found in clinical practice due to the development of imaging devices and frequent health screening examination, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between normal and abnormal. In evaluating the cause of bile duct dilatation, comprehensive approach should be accompanied, instead of determining by using any one of imaging modalities. Before diagnosing bile duct dilatation, physiologic changes due to aging and history of biliary operation might be considered. The acceptable range for normal diameter of bile duct is 7-8 mm in transabdominal ultrasonography and less than 10 mm in cholangiography. However, the diameter of bile duct in elderly is acceptable up to 10 mm and 12 mm, respectively. Among patients with incidentally found bile duct dilation, further additional image studies are required to confirm the cause of bile duct dilatation in case of presence of symptom and abnormal liver function test. Meanwhile, the truly asymptomatic patient with normal liver enzyme profiles should be followed closely with clinical and laboratory follow-up to help decide whether any additional imaging would be appropriate.

Keyword

Bile ducts; Dilatation; Ultrasonography; Endosonography; Cholangiopan-creatography; Endoscopic retrograde; Cholangiopancreatography; Magnetic resonance

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aging
Bile Ducts*
Bile*
Cholangiography
Dilatation*
Endosonography
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Liver
Liver Function Tests
Mass Screening
Ultrasonography