Visualization of the pancreatic ducts by ultrasound tomography in pancreatic diseases with bile duct obstruction

The sonographic findings in 274 patients with biliary obstruction and/or dilatation of the pancreatic duct of more than 4 mm were evaluated (128 common duct stones, 82 carcinoma of pancreas, 64 chronic pancreatitis). Carcinoma of the pancreatic head caused a greater degree of dilatation of the common bile duct (average diameter 18.3 mm) than did chronic pancreatitis (10.5 mm) or biliary stones (14.2 mm). Dilatation of the pancreatic duct greater than 4 mm occurred with approximately equal frequency with carcinomas (59%) and chronic pancreatitis (64%); it was found in only 1.6% of biliary duct stones. Dilatation of intra-and extra-hepatic bile ducts and hydrops of the gall bladder was significantly higher with carcinoma of the pancreas than in chronic pancreatitis.