Common bile duct diameters after endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with common bile duct stones: ultrasonographic evaluation.
BACKGROUND
One of the most reliable, frequently used imaging techniques in cholestasis is ultrasonography (US) for the diagnosis of common bile duct (CBD) stones.


METHODS
In this study, changes in diameters of CBD were determined ultrasonographically before and after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) in 46 patients with stone-induced dilated CBD.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in CBD diameter measured 1 week after ES and extraction of stone (p < 0.001). In 87% of cases, the difference was more significantly pronounced during the first 24 h of ES. The mean CBD diameters on US were 13.70 +/- 3.00 mm (10-21 mm) before and 9.13 +/- 2.90 mm (4.2-18 mm) 24 h after endoscopic treatment (p < 0.001). After ES, six patients (13%) with inadequate decreases in CBD diameters were found to have residual stones.


CONCLUSIONS
US can show residual stones in the CBD with the same efficacy as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
Inönü University Faculty of Medicine, Turgut Ozal Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, 44069 Malatya, Turkey.
M
M
Karincaoglu
B
B
Yildirim
Y
Y
Seckin
B
B
Kantarceken
M
M
Aladag
F
F
Hilmioglu
D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography