HCV What is the significance of dilation of the common bile duct?

[ChrisDDD]

I've looked all over the internet trying to find the answer to this question.  Then I remembered all of the experts here!  My ultrasound in December said "The common bile duct is again noted to be mildly dilated up to 7.8mm in diameter ... then MRCP or ERCP could be performed."  So "again" must mean that finding has been on a previous ultrasound that I missed when reading it.  Translations would be welcome!  :)

[bemthom]

when going mrcp common bile duct shows mild fusiform dilation in the proximal part (approx.13mm) and shows gradual distal tapering. and the gallbladder with  multiple intraluminal signal voids suggestive of calculi are seen .the liver is mildly enlarged with span of 16cm .a  2cm diameter fluid signal intensity suggestive of simple hepatic cyst .can we say the dilation as type 1 choledochal cyst

[ceanothus]

I had an enlarged bile duct for years that was treated as "no big deal" and considered just the normal enlargement for someone who'd had their gall bladder removed. Then at one point I had some symptoms of sudden emptying after eating a fatty meal and my hepatologist insisted on an ercp, including the duct into the pancreas. I was still not given a very specific dx for a couple of years until a new hepatologist and liver transplant surgeon joined Stanford's staff after years of practicing in Japan. The new team reviewed my existing records and made a dx of a congenital choledochal cyst. It's extremely rare in the west but much more common in the east. It carries a 25% risk of a highly fatal form of cancer. I had to undergo a very difficult surgery to remove all the ducts (unfortunately adjacent to the major blood flow lines), the remove part of my small intestine in order to utilize the tissue to construct brand new ducts for me, and have a roux-en-Y to reconnect my intestines! Not a liver transplant, but an 8 hour surgery by the transplant team.  It IS extremely rare in the west, so its not a likely problem in your case but it does make me want to encourage everyone to look into those bile duct enlargements and not discount them too quickly.

[renie918]

Hi, how much is your common duct dilatated?  I just had ultrasound showing 8mm dilatation, had MRCP showing normal liver, gallbladder and pancreas; blood work was unremarkable.  I an scheduled for an ERCP next week, am surprised your doctor did not insist on that procedure as there has to be an underlying cause for the dilatation.  Are you having any symptoms?

[Payton129]

In regards to the discussion of the dilated common bile duct, I recently went through an Ultrasound and an MRI with imaging dye and no cancer was found. However, I was not given a cause or a cure for the dilation and will have to have follow-up via blood draws every 3 months and another MRI in a year. If I would have lived in a legal state the Specialist said that he would have prescribed Medical Marijuana. I'm leery of taking pain medication because of the side effects and I have pain on the right side of my abdomen which radiates to my the right side of my back and the left side of the abdomen. It is not constant and seems to be activated by exercise, stress and either too much or too little food. The pain is nothing like the knife-like agony I presented at the ER with. I wonder if it's possible for this to get better on it's own? There are also elimination issues and nausea. Anyway, I have grown tired of thinking and acting like a sick person waiting to die. By the grace of God, my attitude has changed and I have gotten back to the gym for moderate workouts, have considered going back to work part-time and am now considering  taking Martial Arts classes at 40, something I have always wanted to do which I hope will build my confidence and help me beat the symptoms of this illness by staying in a positive and self-empowered head space. Any comments or feedback would be appreciated:-)

[NowWhat1]

Going thru the same. Just been diagnosed CBD dilation as well as pancreatic divisum . Had an mRI of the abdomen and got this news. Explains a lot of sickness and pain ive been going thru for a few years now. At least i know somthing. I just wanted to say i happy that you have a new look and take on life. You inspire me! Praying you have a long happy life and minimum discomfort along the way :)

[IAmTheWalrus]

Paint my nose red and stuff me in a little car! :-)

[IAmTheWalrus]

ERCP (endoscopic remote procedure) is just a method of getting a scope/tools into the duodenum and bile duct. From there they can do close up imaging as needed or use the tools to place stents or do other tasks.

I had a couple of them after transplant to place and remove a stent from my bile duct where the graft was located.