Common bile duct dilatation after cholecystectomy: a one-year prospective study

Abstract

PurposeBile duct dilatation after cholecystectomy continues to be a matter of controversy. We aimed determine the magnitude of common bile duct (CBD) dilatation after cholecystectomy followed up to 1 year.MethodsSixty-four cases (age, 47.3 ± 11.7 years; men, 28; women, 36) enrolled in this study. They received laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Chungbuk National University Hospital for symptomatic cholelithiasis or gallbladder polyps with normal bile duct, less than 7 mm. The CBD diameter was measured by one radiologist using ultrasonography at the maximum point after full length evaluation of extrahepatic bile duct. Forty-five and thirty-one cases were followed at 6 months and 1 year, respectively.ResultsThe CBD was dilated slightly from 4.1 mm at baseline to 5.1 mm at 6 months and 6.1 mm at 12 months after cholecystectomy. The number of cases of CBD dilatation of more than 7 mm at 6 months and at 12 months after cholecystectomy were 11 (24.4%) and 9 (29.0%), respectively. Seven cases at 6 months and 5 cases at 12 months showed bile duct dilation of more than 3 mm compared to baseline. There were no cases having bile duct dilation of more than 10 mm.ConclusionPostcholecystectomy dilatation of the bile duct occured slightly in most cases. But some cases showed more than 3 mm dilatation over baseline. Asymptomatic bile duct dilatation of up to 10 mm can be considered as normal range in patients after cholecystectomy.

Usefulness of abdominal ultrasound and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disorders: A comparative study

“…The reported prevalence of post cholecystectomy complications ranges from very low to 47% [17] . A relatively common finding after colecystectomy is biliary dilatation and a diameter of the CBD within 10 mm can be regarded as normal [18] . The reported sensitivity of MRCP for biliary strictures ranges from 78% to 100% [19] .…”

Pitfalls in Diagnostic Radiology

“…In assessing for dilatation of the biliary ducts, one should always take into account elderly patients and patients who have undergone cholecystectomy (Park et al 2012 ). Serial imaging can be particularly helpful, since an increase in caliber from baseline can be a sign of disease (Valkovic et al 2011 ).…”

Comparison of acute cholangitis with or without common bile duct dilatation

“…limit of the CBD diameter in acute cholangitis ranges from 6.0 to 8.0 mm (14,15). In the current study, 7.0 mm was selected as the upper CBD diameter limit as this value is directly between 6.0 and 8.0 mm.…”