Normal intrahepatic bile ducts: CT depiction

Visualization of intrahepatic bile ducts (IHBDs) at computed tomography (CT) has previously been considered evidence of biliary obstruction. The authors have found that hepatic CT enhanced with contrast material and with the use of ceramic scintillation detectors allows frequent visualization of normal IHBDs. One hundred patients without imaging, laboratory, or clinical evidence of hepatobiliary or pancreatic disease were prospectively examined to assess the frequency of visualization, location, and size of IHBDs. IHBDs were visualized in 40% of the patients and had an average size of 2.0 mm in the central part of the liver and 1.8 mm in the peripheral part of the liver. Ducts were seen in the right lobe more often than in the left lobe. There was no statistically significant relationship between visualization of IHBDs and patient age. Demonstration of IHBDs on current CT scanners is a normal finding and does not indicate biliary obstruction.