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Can Long Term Narcotic Use Cause Bile Duct Dilation?
My husband had an EUS and the Dx is Pancreatic parenchymal abnormalities int entire pancreass which consisted of diffuse echogenicity. The prominent bile duct is dialated to about 10 mm. They suspect the dilation is caused by long term narcotic use due to severe orthopedic conditions. Can you please explain this?? Thanks
Thu, 25 Feb 2021
Hello,
- Opioid drugs tend to cause constriction and spasm of the sphincter (like a gate) for the bile to exit the biliary tree into the duodenum (called the Sphincter of Oddi)
- When this sphincter goes into a spasm, there is a back pressure due to the build up of bile --> causes dilation of the ducts all the way back
- This explains the EUS findings
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pranav Balakrishnan, General & Family Physician
- Opioid drugs tend to cause constriction and spasm of the sphincter (like a gate) for the bile to exit the biliary tree into the duodenum (called the Sphincter of Oddi)
- When this sphincter goes into a spasm, there is a back pressure due to the build up of bile --> causes dilation of the ducts all the way back
- This explains the EUS findings
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Pranav Balakrishnan, General & Family Physician
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