Bile duct dilation with chronic methadone use in asymptomatic patients: ERCP findings in 6 patients.

BACKGROUND

Bile duct dilation in patients being treated by chronic narcotic substitution with methadone has been described but has not been systematically evaluated with ERCP. Retrograde cholangiographic findings in 6 patients taking methadone who were referred for evaluation of a dilated bile duct are described.

METHODS

Six patients with chronic hepatitis (5 because of hepatitis C virus, 1 hepatitis B virus) who were taking methadone were evaluated by ERCP because of biliary dilation. Data were obtained regarding surgery, abdominal pain, weight loss, excessive ingestion of alcohol, liver disease, pancreatitis, and the dose and duration of methadone treatment.

OBSERVATIONS

ERCP revealed bile duct dilation without evidence of choledocholithiasis, stricture, or obstructing mass. There was one complication (postprocedure pain thought to be due to methadone withdrawal).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic methadone use can lead to bile duct dilation without evidence of other significant pathology in asymptomatic patients. EUS may be safer than ERCP for evaluation of these patients, given that a need for therapeutic biliary intervention is unlikely.