[Radiological investigation of the bile ducts following cholecystectomy. Paper III: Determination of the diameter of the common bile duct by isotope methods (author's transl)].

The diameter of the common bile duct can be determined by means of quantitative hepato-biliary functional scintigraphy to an accuracy of +/- 2 mm. It is necessary to keep the conditions of the test constant, such as constant regions of interest and size of region. A common bile duct diameter greater than 10 mm. is suggestive of biliary obstruction, diameters above 15 mm. are definite proof. For the demonstration of post-hepatic obstruction, the hilar flow curve is confirmatory. Peristalsis of the common bile duct, which is an unlikely phenomenon in view of the anatomic studies of the muscle in the bile duct, cannot be demonstrated in this way.