Radiology, Vol 135, 405-407, Copyright © 1980 by Radiological Society of North America
The pseudo-dilated common bile duct: ultrasonographic appearance created by the gallbladder neck
FC Laing and RB Jeffrey
A retrospective analysis of 111 ultrasonograms was performed in order to
evaluate the relationship of the gallbladder neck to the common bile duct
and portal vein. Of the 100 studies deemed technically adequate, eight
contained scans that demonstrated a potentially confusing pattern of a
pseudo-dilated common bile duct caused by either a redundant or folded neck
of the gallbladder. Recognition of this entity as well as the use of
real-time ultrasound equipment should minimize false-positive diagnoses of
extrahepatic bile duct dilatation.
