A dilated common bile duct (CBD) means the tube that carries bile from your liver and gallbladder to your small intestine is wider than normal. In healthy adults, it's usually no more than 6 mm across. Mild widening can be normal after age 60 or if you've had your gallbladder removed, but significant dilation may signal a blockage, infection, or other issue.
Symptoms depend on the underlying cause. You may have no symptoms at all, or you might notice:
Several conditions can lead to dilation of the bile duct:
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A dilated common bile duct (CBD) means the duct that carries bile from your liver and gallbladder to the small intestine is wider than normal, often due to a blockage, inflammation, or other underlying issue.
CBD dilation is the medical term for an enlarged common bile duct. It indicates that the duct's diameter exceeds the normal range (usually over 6 mm).
A dilated CBD refers to a common bile duct with a diameter larger than normal-typically greater than 6 mm on imaging studies like ultrasound or CT scan.
When symptoms occur, they may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, pale stools, upper right abdominal pain, itching, or unexplained weight loss.
Mild dilation often warrants monitoring and possibly mild treatment, depending on the underlying cause (e.g., tiny stones or mild inflammation) but may not require urgent intervention.
Doctors use imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI/MRCP to measure the common bile duct's diameter and identify any blockages or abnormalities.
On medical reports, you might see abbreviations like "CBD dil." or "CBD DIL" indicating common bile duct dilation.
The ICD-10 code most commonly used for biliary tract dilation or obstruction, including dilated CBD, is K83.1 (other cholangitis and biliary tract disorders).
Yes. Once the underlying cause-such as gallstones, strictures, or inflammation-is treated or removed, the duct often shrinks back to its normal diameter.
A CT scan may be ordered if an ultrasound is inconclusive or to get detailed images for treatment planning, such as identifying the exact location and cause of the obstruction.
