Obstruction without dilation. Importance in evaluating jaundice.

Transhepatic cholangiography demonstrated no intrahepatic biliary duct dilation in 16 cases of surgical jaundice. The role of ultrasound, computed tomography, and transhepatic cholangiography in differentiating between surgical and medical jaundice is discussed in the light of these 16 cases. Nondilated ducts on ultrasound or computed tomography do not rule out surgical jaundice, and transhepatic cholangiography should be performed for complete evaluation of the biliary tree.