Influence of biliary drainage catheter on bile duct wall thickness as measured by intraductal ultrasonography

Abstract Objective : To determine the influence of biliary drainage catheter placement on bile duct wall thickness, we performed intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS) in patients before and after biliary drainage. Methods : Patients underwent IDUS before and after either short-term (n = 9, 6 to 8 days) or long-term (n = 9, 14 to 35 days) biliary drainage using a thin (2.0 mm diameter), 20 MHz probe inserted by means of a transpapillary route or a percutaneous tract. The bile duct wall thickness (mean ± standard deviation) was retrospectively measured at the upper portion of the common hepatic duct. Results : The bile duct wall thickness increased from 0.8 ± 0.4 mm (predrainage) to 2.0 ± 1.6 mm (post-drainage) in the long-term group ( p Conclusions : The bile duct wall thickness as measured on IDUS appears to be increased after placement of biliary drainage catheters. (Gastrointest Endosc 1998;47:28-32.)