Computed-tomographic cholangiography: a new technique for evaluating the head of the pancreas and distal biliary tree.

Computed-tomography cholangiography was used to evaluate the abdomen of 97 patients. The gallbladder and/or biliary tree was visualized well in 84 patients (87%); the distal common bile duct (CBD) was visualized well in 68 patients (70%). For 26 patients (30%) from the latter group, visualization of the opacified CBD was essential in order to differentiate the pancreatic head from the duodenum. Measurements of the distal CBD showed a significant difference between patients with gallbladders (mean, 4.7 +/- 1.2 mm) and those without gallbladders (mean, 6.8 +/- 1.1 mm). By visualizing the CBD and the superior mesenteric vein, exact dimensions of the uncinate process can be obtained. Also, the pancreatic head can be assessed more accurately, and the distal biliary tree can be evaluated.