BACKGROUND: With the widespread use of abdominal imaging, an incidentally found dilated common bile duct (CBD) is a common radiographic finding. The significance of a dilated CBD as a predictor of underlying disease and long-term outcome have not been well elucidated. GOALS: A systematic review of studies on @entity1 with dilated CBD was performed to identify etiologies and clinical factors that may predict which @entity1 require further diagnostic testing and long-term outcomes. A PubMed search for relevant articles published between 2001 and 2014 was performed. RESULTS: The search yielded a total of 882 articles, and after careful individual review for eligibility and relevancy, 9 peer-reviewed studies were included. A cause of the CBD dilation was found on average in 33% of cases and the most common causes were: CBD stone, chronic @entity788 , and periampullary diverticulum. The overall CBD diameter was not associated with finding a causative lesion. Coexisting CBD and intrahepatic bile duct dilation, age, and @entity1087 were found to be indicators of pathologic lesions. @entity1157 and pancreatic duct was suggestive of @entity660 , especially pancreatic @entity3883 . Follow-up was reported in 6 studies ranging from 6 to 85 months, and generally there was no change in the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Incidentally found biliary tract dilatation can be a manifestation of significant biliary tract disease including @entity5 . Long-term outcome is not well defined and further prospective studies examining the most cost-effective approach to evaluation are needed.

Incidentally Identified XXXX : A Systematic Review of Evaluation, Causes, and Outcome.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity3883 :: ('MESH:D041781', 'Disease') :: ['malignancy in the setting of obstructive jaundice'] @entity788 :: ('MESH:D010190', 'Disease') :: ['pancreatitis'] @entity1087 :: ('MESH:D007565', 'Disease') :: ['jaundice'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['malignancy'] @entity1157 :: ('MESH:D001649', 'Disease') :: ['Dilation of both the CBD'] @entity660 :: ('MESH:D010182', 'Disease') :: ['pancreatic disease']
@entity1157 :: (MESH:D001649,Disease) :: ['Common Bile Duct Dilatation']
