Diagnostic Use of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in the Evaluation of Common Bile Duct Dilatation / 대한소화기내시경학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic use of endoscopic ultrasonograpy (EUS) in detecting the cause of common bile duct (CBD) dilatation in patients in whom abdominal ultrasonography or abdominal CT scan could not identify the cause of dilatation. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients (23 men, 14 women, mean age 62.2 years) with uncertain causes of CBD dilatation on abdominal sonogram and CT scan between October 1999 and November 2003 were enrolled. All patients were evaluated by EUS and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Final diagnosis were determined by ERCP, surgical exploration and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: The following diagnosis were made by EUS choledocholithiasis in 11 patients, CBD dilatation only in 12, benign stricture of distal CBD in 8, periampullary tumor in 6. The definitive diagnosis of choledocholithiasis (n=11), benign stricture of distal CBD (n=10), ampullary tumor (n= 5) were determined by ERCP with or without sphincterotomy and surgical exploration. EUS provided the accurate explanation for CBD dilatation in 32 of the 37 patients (86%). CONCLUSIONS: When the diagnosis of biliary obstruction remains obscure on abdominal sonography or CT scan, EUS may be useful.