title: Ultrasound evaluation of common bile duct size.
abstract: A new sonographic technique for demonstration of the common bile duct is described in a prospective study of 200 patients. The mean diameter of the normal common duct was 4.1 mm. A common duct greater than 7 mm in diameter can be seen in (a) nonjaundiced patients with gallstones and/or pancreatitis, or (b) jaundiced patients with common duct obstruction by stone or tumor. A common duct greater than 11 mm in diameter is strongly suggestive of obstruction by stone or tumor.
mesh_terms: D002763:Cholecystectomy; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000473:pathology*; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005215:Fasting; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D014463:Ultrasonography