To assess

To evaluate the structure of the biliary tree. Although studies on the functional assessment of CBD diameter (pre/post fatty meal) have been conducted, they are not readily or objectively reproducible.

Nuclear medicine or CT cholangiography is the method of choice for assessing the gallbladder's physiological function.

US also used to assess the following problems:

• Obstruction

• Choledocholithiasis

• Cholangitis

• Choledochal lesions

• Cholangioma

• The aftercare of a CBD stent and other surgical procedures.

• Post-surgical complications,e.g.g abscess, biloma

• Injection, aspiration, or biopsy guidance

• Gallbladder disease

 

Limitation

• Non-fasted patients

• Large habitus patients

 

Patient Preparation

• Patient should be NPO for 4-6 hours before the study.

 

Equipment Setup

• Use of a curvilinear probe 3-Mhz depending on patient habitus.

 

Common Pathology

• Obstruction

The source of obstruction may be:

1. Intraductal

• Calculus

• Sludge

• Tumour

 

2. Extraductal

• Tumour extrinsic compression

• Tumour invasion

• Collection (post-surgical/infection)

 

• Cholangitis

• Caroli's Disease

 

Scanning Technique​

• Begin with the patient supine.

• Assess the pancreas and visualise the Common Bile Duct (CBD) in the head of the pancreas.

• Follow the CBD back into the liver at porta hepatis.

• Measure the diameter of the extrahepat.ic bile duct