Common bile duct measurements in an elderly population

• Published in: Journal of ultrasound in medicine Vol. 19; no. 11; pp. 727 - 730
• Main Authors: Perret, R. S, Sloop, G. D, Borne, J. A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Laurel, MD Am inst Ulrrasound Med 01.11.2000; American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Biological and medical sciences; Common Bile Duct - anatomy & histology; Common Bile Duct - diagnostic imaging; Digestive system. Abdomen; Female; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonography; Sonography; Human; Biliary tract; Choledoch; Digestive system; Echography; Exploration; Diagnosis; Elderly; Age
• ISSN: 0278-4297; 1550-9613
• DOI: 10.7863/jum.2000.19.11.727

We prospectively evaluated the diameter of the common bile duct in 1,018 patients between the ages of 60 to 96 over a 4 year period to determine if there is a significant change in its size with aging. All of the patients included in the study were being evaluated primarily for carotid or peripheral vascular disease. Any patients with a history of biliary disease (i.e., bilirubin level greater than 1.5 mg/ml, cholecystectomy, or cholelithiasis) were excluded. Ultrasonography of the common bile duct was performed only in those patients with no subjective abdominal pain or icterus. Our results demonstrated a small although statistically significant increase in the caliber of the common bile duct with increasing age (60 years old or less, mean diameter 3.6 mm +/‐ 0.2mm, versus over 85 years old, mean diameter 4 mm +/‐ 0.2 mm, P = 0.009). Although the common bile duct did increase in size with aging, 98% of all ducts remained below 6 to 7 mm, the commonly accepted upper range of normal.