What causes dilation of the common bile duct?

HG Dilated bile ducts are usually caused by an obstruction of the biliary tree, which can be due to stones, tumors (usually of either the papilla of Vater or the pancreas), benign strictures (due to chronic pancreatitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis), benign stenosis of the papilla (ie, papillary stenosis), or a …

How serious is a dilated common bile duct?

Coexisting CBD and intrahepatic bile duct dilation, age, and jaundice were found to be indicators of pathologic lesions. Dilation of both the CBD and pancreatic duct was suggestive of pancreatic disease, especially pancreatic malignancy in the setting of obstructive jaundice.

What is a congenital dilation of the biliary tree called?

Choledochal cysts, are rare congenital dilations (enlargements) of the bile ducts, a network of long tube-like structures that carry bile from the liver to small intestine for digestion. Biliary System. Choledochal cysts are classified into 5 types, based on site of the cyst or dilatation.

Does dilated bile duct cause pain?

Abdominal pain: This symptom of bile duct cancer usually appears in the advanced stages of the disease. Nausea and/or fever: A side effect of abnormal liver function or the buildup of bilirubin, nausea and/or fever may also result from an infection (cholangitis) caused by bile duct blockage.

How do you treat a dilated common bile duct?

Some of the treatment options include a cholecystectomy and an ERCP. A cholecystectomy is the removal of the gallbladder if there are gallstones. An ERCP may be sufficient to remove small stones from the common bile duct or to place a stent inside the duct to restore bile flow.

What is a dilated cystic duct?

When the cystic duct insertion is located above an obstructing bile duct lesion, the cystic duct usually dilates in proportion to common bile duct dilatation. The cystic duct may dilate markedly so that it mimics the gallbladder or a dilated right hepatic branch.

Can a dilated common bile duct cause pain?

Obstruction of the common bile duct may also lead to obstruction of the pancreatic duct because these ducts are usually connected. The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body, where the liver and gallbladder are situated. The pain may start suddenly and be intense.

Is a blocked bile duct an emergency?

If something is blocking the bile duct, bile can back up into the liver. This can cause jaundice, a condition in which the skin and white of the eyes become yellow. The bile duct might become infected and require emergency surgery if the stone or blockage is not removed.

Can a dilated bile duct cause pain?

When a blockage occurs in any of the bile ducts, bile accumulates within nearby structures. As bile builds up in the liver, it causes jaundice and other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and upper abdominal pain. Depending on the cause, these symptoms can develop abruptly or slowly with time.