Common bile duct pressure and Oddi sphincter pressure in patients with common bile duct stones with and without juxta-ampullar diverticula of the duodenum.

Resting common bile duct pressure and Oddi sphincter pressure were measured in 16 patients with common bile duct stones, 8 having in addition a juxta-ampullar diverticulum. Pressure measurements were performed with an infused catheter introduced through an endoscope under direct vision. No significant differences in fasting common bile duct pressures were observed between the two groups. The Oddi sphincter had a phasic activity, and the peak pressure was similar in both groups.