PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF THE DETECTION OF ANOMALOUS CONNECTIONS OF PANCREATICOBILIARY DUCTS DURING ROUTINE MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS

Background/Aims: It is important to achieve detection of anomalous con nections of the pancreatobiliary ducts (ACPBD) because this condition often Leads to pancreatobiliary disease. The present prospective inves tigation focused on revealing the incidence of ACPBD in asymptomatic i ndividuals undergoing medical checkups. Material and Methods: Extracor poreal ultrasonography (US) was performed on all asymptomatic individu als undergoing medical checkups. Identification by abdominal ultrasono graphy of 3mm or more gallbladder wall thickening, or 10mm or more dil atation of the bile duct were considered indicative of ACPBD and endos copic ultrasonography (EUS) was carried out in selected cases. Endosco pic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was then performed to c onfirm the existence of ACPBD. Results: The overall incidence of ACPBD was 0.03% (9/27,076 subjects). ACPBD was found in 23% of cases with b ile duct dilatation, and in 2.9% with gallbladder wall thickening. Con clusion: ACPBD was not as rare a disease as expected. For early detect ion of ACPBD, identification by abdominal ultrasonography of gallbladd er wall thickening or dilatation of the bile duct are indicative. Pati ents who are suspected of having this abnormality should then undergo EUS. The final diagnosis should then be made by ERCP.