Disparate dilatation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts in surgical jaundice.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Intrahepatic biliary dilatation on ultrasound was reported as an early sign of biliary obstruction. Patients (12) with extrahepatic biliary obstruction in whom the extrahepatic biliary system was increased in caliber despite a normal appearance of the intrahepatic ducts. The bile ducts in all of these patients were evaluated with ultrasound and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography. Computed tomography was performed in 1 case. The causes of obstructive jaundice included stricture, choledocholithiasis and neoplasm. The common bile duct provides a sensitive indicator of biliary obstruction, and its demonstration by noninvasive or invasive means is mandatory even when the intrahepatic ducts appear to be normal.