Factors affecting the diameters of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) findings in 405 patients were analyzed to compare common bile duct (CBD) and main pancreatic duct (PD) diameters in relation to age, sex, gallbladder stones, CBD stones and acute pancreatitis. There were 129 patients with gallstones uncomplicated by pancreatitis, 131 patients with pancreatitis, and 145 control subjects. Significant correlations were found between CBD and PD diameters, and between these and age. Independently significant determinants of the CBD diameter were age, female, sex, CBD stones and gallbladder stones, as well as PD diameter. Conversely, PD diameter was significantly dependent upon age, CBD diameter, and acute pancreatitis. This study suggests that both CBD and PD dilation occurs in patients with gallstone disease. In view of the different factors which affect CBD and PD diameters (particularly age), important clinical decisions previously recommended on the basis of these duct diameters may need to be qualified.