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To better understand changes in the size of the extrahepatic bile duct after liver transplantation, we retrospectively studied the luminal diameter of the extrahepatic bile duct on serial cholangiograms in 40 liver transplant recipients with choledochocholedochostomy biliary anastomoses and without biliary complications. Forty operative and 105 postoperative cholangiograms were reviewed. The average interval between operative and last postoperative cholangiogram was 5 weeks (range, 1-17 weeks). The mean diameter of the donor common hepatic duct increased from 5.5 +/- 2.1 mm to 6.3 +/- 2.4 mm (p = .015). The mean diameter of the native common bile duct increased from 5.1 +/- 1.4 mm to 6.8 +/- 2.4 mm (p less than .001). The diameter of the donor common hepatic duct increased by 3 mm or more in six patients (15%); the diameter of the native common bile duct increased by 3 mm or more in nine (23%). Increased diameter of the native common bile duct was associated with T-tube migration into the duct in four cases. The size of the extrahepatic bile duct on cholangiograms is stable or increases slightly in most liver transplant recipients. Mild increases unassociated with a specific cause of obstruction or hepatic dysfunction do not portend biliary obstruction and are clinically benign.

Biliary obstruction in liver transplants is most commonly due to stricture at the biliary anastomosis. The native common bile duct typically is normal. We retrospectively studied 28 patients with choledochocholedochostomy anastomoses who had marked native and donor extrahepatic bile duct dilatation associated with clinical evidence of biliary obstruction. Operative cholangiograms were compared with postoperative cholangiograms obtained a mean of 50 weeks (range, 2-246 weeks) later. Mean caliber of the native common bile duct increased from 7.5 +/- 2.0 mm on operative cholangiograms to 14.8 +/- 3.9 mm on postoperative cholangiograms (p less than .001). Mean caliber of the donor common hepatic duct increased from 5.9 +/- 1.3 mm on operative cholangiograms to 12.8 +/- 3.8 mm on postoperative cholangiograms (p less than .001). Dilatation of the cystic duct remnant was seen in 15 patients. All patients had surgical revision to choledochojejunostomy with improved results of liver function studies in most cases. Diffuse dilatation of native and donor extrahepatic bile ducts may develop in liver transplant recipients. Typical features include native and donor extrahepatic ducts greater than 12 mm in diameter and a dilated cystic duct remnant on postoperative cholangiography in a patient with otherwise unexplained hepatic dysfunction.

Fine-needle transhepatic cholangiography is widely accepted as the procedure of choice for direct opacification of the bile ducts. A 5-year experience with 450 cases provided the basis for refinements of clinical applications and technique leading to an improved duct opacification rate, 93%, and only a 4.8% complication rate. Fluoroscopic monitoring of needle puncture to insure a controlled placement is essential. Familiarity with the normal anatomic course of the biliary ducts permits gravity maneuvers and positional changes to better delineate the exact area and appearance of the obstructing lesion. Cholangiographic aids, glucagon and barium duodenography, improve accuracy of cholangiographic interpretation. An algorithm for integration of fine-needle transhepatic cholangiography with other methods, sonography and computed tomography, emphasizes its pivotal position in patients with suspected surgical obstruction of the biliary ducts.

The sonographic appearance and incidence of transverse common ducts were studied. A review of 118 intraoperative cholangiograms showed a transverse segment longer than 35 mm in 18% of the dilated extrahepatic ducts and in 6% of the normal caliber ducts. The causes of obstruction varied. When dilated, the transverse segment may be confused with the portal and splenic veins on a sonogram. An awareness of this anatomic variation can be helpful in locating an obstructing lesion of the extrahepatic bile duct.

The effect of etiology on findings in cholescintigraphy in patients with extrahepatic obstruction was retrospectively evaluated in 29 patients. Of 11 patients with obstruction secondary to cancer, seven (78%) of nine had complete obstruction (delayed images were not obtained in two) and nine (82%) of 11 had a moderate to severe decreases in hepatocyte clearance. Of 12 patients with obstruction secondary to cholelithiasis, only four (36%) had complete obstruction (delayed images were not obtained in one) (p less than 0.05) and all 11 had normal or only midly decreased hepatocyte clearance (p less than 0.05). All five patients with obstruction secondary to pancreatitis had mild partial obstruction and normal or mildly decreased hepatocyte clearance. One patient had partial obstruction secondary to an abscess adjacent to the common bile duct; hepatocyte clearance was mildly decreased. Cancerous and noncancerous causes of biliary tract obstruction produce significantly different findings in hepatobiliary imaging.

A retrospective review of CT scans in 69 consecutive patients with proven biliary obstruction due to both malignant and benign causes was performed to define and differentiate CT changes. Abrupt termination of a dilated extrahepatic biliary duct was characteristic of a malignant process in the absence of a mass. Gradual tapering of a dilated duct was specific for benign disease. Other findings, such as degree of intra- or extrahepatic duct dilatation and presence or absence of a dilated pancreatic duct were not reliable in distinguishing benign from malignant causes. The authors also found CT to be accurate in detecting common duct stones with a sensitivity exceeding 80%.