Comparison of Ultrasound with Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Surgery in the Detection of Site and Cause Bile Ducts Dilatation

ackground and Objectives: Ultrasound (US) is the initial imaging test used in the evaluation of patients with biliary tract disease. Our retrospective study was designed to evaluate the capacity of ultrasound to determine the cause and site of bile ducts dilatation, and to compare the accuracy of ultrasound with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a well-accepted procedure and surgery as practiced on 53 patients. Patients and Methods: 40 patients with ultrasonographic, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgery reports were entered into the study. sonographic reports of each patient were compared with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgery findings. Results: The most common cause of dilatation was stones followed by bile ducts tumors. Tumors were located in intrapancreatic common bile duct in 81.8%. The sensitivity of ultrasound was 100% in diagnosis of stones and 83.3% in tumors respectively. Comparison of the ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and surgery findings revealed a correct sonographic diagnosis in 92.5% of cases. Conclusion: Our study showed that ultrasound had a high accuracy and sensitivity of 92.5% and 94.4%, respectively in the diagnosis of bile ducts dilatation.