The role of intravenous cholangiography in predicting papillary stenosis.

Size of common bile duct and density of contrast material in CBD have been evaluated by IVC, in order to predict papillary stenosis, in 187 patients who underwent biliary surgery. At Iaparotomy findings and operative cholangiograms 143 CBDs were normal, 44 obstructed. The average diameter of the normal ducts was 6,19 ~ 1,75 mm. In females and in aged patients the CBD size was larger. The average diameter of the stenotic ducts was 10,98 ~ 5,12 mm. Ali ducts larger than 11,45 mm were obstructed, ali those smaller than 6,75 mm were unobstructed. Seventy four ducts, of which 30 (40,54 0/a) were stenotic, were included in the 6,75-11,45 mm size group. Of the 44 ducts with CBD stenosis found at operation, the 77,27 LVo had stasis of contrast material more than 2 hours. The duct size, alone, is not useful in predicting papiilary stenosis. Stasis of contrast material in a dilated CED is a suitable criteria for evaluating papillary stenosis. Even if, today, preoperative manometric study is available, IVC appears to be still a valid technique for functional and anatomic evaluation of the biliary tract.