Isolated common bile duct dilation on pre-operative ultrasound is not a predictor of choledocholithiasis on intraoperative cholangiogram.

BACKGROUND

Common bile duct (CBD) dilation is typically an indication for intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). We hypothesized that isolated CBD dilation on pre-operative ultrasound (US) is not predictive of choledocholithiasis (CD) on IOC.

METHODS

A retrospective study comparing patients with dilated versus normal CBD diameter on pre-operative US. CBD dilation on pre-operative ultrasound was defined as ≥ 0.6 ​cm, with 1 ​mm added per decade of life above 60-years-old. Demographics, laboratory values, CBD diameter, cholecystitis grades, and clinical outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

341 patients underwent LC with IOC during the study period, of which 46 patients had isolated CBD dilation. CBD dilation via ultrasound had a sensitivity of 80.00 ​%, specificity of 25.49 ​%, positive predictive value of 17.39 ​%, and negative predictive value of 86.67 ​%. There was no difference in demographics, cholecystitis severity, complication or readmission rates.

CONCLUSION

Isolated CBD dilation does not present an increased risk of CD compared to normal CBD diameter.