Ultrasound study on the sizes of normal extrahepatic bile ducts
Chuang, C.N.; Sheu, J.C.; Chen, D.S.; Wang, T.H.; Sung, J.L.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 83(9): 879-884
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0371-7682 PMID: 6394714 Document Number: 222401
In a prospective sonographic study, the inner diameters of the common duct and the common hepatic duct were measured in 92 normal adults. Sizes of the common duct and the common hepatic duct ranged from 2-7 mm (mean .+-. SD 4.0 .+-. 1.2 mm) and 1-4 mm (mean .+-. SD 2.5 .+-. 0.9 mm), respectively. The sizes of these 2 bile ducts correlated with age, body weight and body surface area, but not with body height. The correlation between sizes of the common duct and the common hepatic duct was strong (r = 0.788, P < 0.005). It was suggested that measurement of either the common duct or the common hepatic duct will be equally useful in differentiating between obstructive from non-obstructive jaundice. In ultrasonography the following findings should be considered abnormal and further investigation of the biliary system is advised: A common duct size of > 6 mm or a common hepatic duct size > 4 mm for those under 60 yr of age, or a common duct size of > 7 mm or a common hepatic duct size of > 5 mm for those who are over 60 yr of age.