Is a dilated bile duct serious?

Obstruction of any of these bile ducts is referred to as a biliary obstruction. Many of the conditions related to biliary obstructions can be treated successfully. However, if the blockage remains untreated for a long time, it can lead to life-threatening diseases of the liver.

What are the symptoms of bile duct problems?

Symptoms

• Abdominal pain in the upper right side.
• Dark urine.
• Fever.
• Itching.
• Jaundice (yellow skin color)
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Pale-colored stools.

Why is my common bile duct dilated?

HG Dilated bile ducts are usually caused by an obstruction of the biliary tree, which can be due to stones, tumors (usually of either the papilla of Vater or the pancreas), benign strictures (due to chronic pancreatitis or primary sclerosing cholangitis), benign stenosis of the papilla (ie, papillary stenosis), or a …

What is intrahepatic biliary dilatation?

Biliary dilatation (also called dilation) is a procedure to stretch bile ducts that are too narrow. Bile, a substance that helps in the digestion of fats, is made in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. After meals it is excreted into the intestines via the bile ducts (also called biliary ducts).

Does a dilated common bile duct cause pain?

Obstruction of the common bile duct may also lead to obstruction of the pancreatic duct because these ducts are usually connected. The most common symptom is upper abdominal pain on the right side of the body, where the liver and gallbladder are situated. The pain may start suddenly and be intense.

Is a dilated bile duct normal?

None of the patients complained of biliary symptoms or showed abnormal LFTs on long-term follow-up. Conclusions: CBD dilatation with normal liver chemistry is not always a benign condition. Even when prior imaging tests are negative, EUS may allow to diagnose conditions overlooked by standard diagnostic imaging.

What does biliary pain feel like?

Symptoms. A person with biliary colic typically feels pain in the middle to right upper abdomen. The pain can feel sharp, crampy, or like a constant dull ache. Colic often occurs in the evening, especially after eating a heavy meal.

How long can you live with blocked bile duct?

Death from obstructive jaundice in the first few weeks of its course is quite rare and is only occasionally observed. After a period varying from four to six months, however, patients suffering from occlusion of the common bile duct usually deteriorate rapidly and die.

Can an enlarged bile duct cause pain?

Enlarged abdominal mass/bloated feeling: This happens due to the pressure of the tumor on nearby organs. Abdominal pain: This symptom of bile duct cancer usually appears in the advanced stages of the disease.

What is mild intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct dilatation?

When the diameter of the left or right hepatic duct exceeds the normal range, and/or with widening of the level-2 and -3 bile ducts, the condition is called intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. An intrahepatic bile duct diameter of 5 mm is called mild, 5-9 mm moderate, and >9 mm severe dilatation.

How long can you live with a dilated bile duct?

If untreated, bile duct cancer survival is 50% at one year, 20% at two years, and 10% at three years with virtually no survival at five years.

How do you treat a dilated common bile duct?

Treatment of Biliary Obstruction For bile duct obstruction caused by cancer, your doctor will widen and drain your bile ducts using endoscopy or by inserting a needle through your skin. Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery to treat your cancer.