Transverse Scanning of the Common Bile Duct at the Level of the Upper Part of the Pancreatic Head by the Right Subcostal

Transverse biliary section • Common Bile Duct • Upper pancreatic head • Right subcostal approach

Scanning Method

The patient should preferably be fasted for 8–12 hours and examined in the supine position. Place the ultrasound probe in the right subcostal region and adjust the transducer to obtain a transverse section at the level of the upper part of the pancreatic head. Optimize probe rotation, angulation, depth, and compression to demonstrate the common bile duct (CBD) and the surrounding vascular and upper abdominal structures.

Key scanning point: Use the right subcostal window to obtain a transverse section through the upper pancreatic head region. The supplied image demonstrates the labeled structures Au, PH, SpA, Ao, IVC, and numbered structures 1, 2, and 3.

Ultrasound Image

Figure 1.1: Transverse right-subcostal sonographic view at the level of the upper part of the pancreatic head. The supplied image labels the Au, PH, SpA, Ao, IVC, and structures numbered 1, 2, and 3.

Anatomical / Scanning Diagram

Figure 1.2: Reference sonographic image demonstrating the transverse scanning plane, upper pancreatic-head region, and surrounding vascular and gastrointestinal landmarks.

Section Structure

The supplied image demonstrates the Au, PH, SpA, Ao, IVC, and numbered structures 1, 2, and 3. The CBD is the target structure specified by the scanning title. The image labels should be retained exactly as supplied rather than assigning unsupported meanings to the numbered labels.

Structures / labels to identify

• CBD — Common bile duct
• Au — Antrum
• PH — Pancreatic head
• SpA — Splenic artery
• Ao — Aorta
• IVC — Inferior vena cava
• 1 — SMV
• 2 — Gastroduodenal artery,
• 3 — CBD

Abbreviations Used in the Figure

Abbreviation / Label	Full form	Identification
Au	Au	Label shown exactly as “Au” in the supplied image; the image alone does not specify its expanded form.
PH	PH	Label shown exactly as “PH” in the supplied image; the image alone does not specify its expanded form.
SpA	Splenic Artery	Arterial structure labeled SpA in the supplied image.
Ao	Aorta	Major arterial landmark shown in the transverse upper abdominal view.
IVC	Inferior Vena Cava	Major venous landmark shown adjacent to the aorta.
CBD	Common Bile Duct	Principal biliary structure specified by the scanning title.
1	Numbered structure 1	SMV.
2	Numbered structure 2	Gastroduodenal artery.
3	Numbered structure 3	CBD.

Abbreviation note: The labels Au, PH, SpA, Ao, IVC, 1, 2, and 3 are preserved from the supplied image. Only the meanings directly supported by the visible labeling/title are expanded here.

Measuring Method and Normal

When clinically indicated, assess the CBD in the transverse plane at the level of the upper pancreatic head. Place the calipers across the duct lumen at an appropriate point and avoid including adjacent vascular structures or pancreatic tissue. The duct caliber should be interpreted together with the intrahepatic ducts, clinical findings, and the remainder of the hepatobiliary examination.

Measurement	Caliper method	Reference / interpretation
Common Bile Duct (CBD)	Measure the visible duct lumen across its short axis in the transverse plane, avoiding adjacent vessels and soft tissue.	Document the caliber together with the sonographic appearance and clinical context.

Measurement note: Confirm the CBD lumen before placing calipers and differentiate it from adjacent vascular structures, particularly the IVC and Ao, as well as other structures in the pancreatic-head region.

The Clinical Application Value

This transverse right-subcostal approach provides a useful section for evaluating the common bile duct at the level of the upper pancreatic head. The Ao, IVC, and SpA provide important vascular landmarks for orientation, while the remaining labeled structures help define the surrounding anatomy.

• Demonstration and assessment of the common bile duct (CBD).
• Assessment of CBD caliber at the upper pancreatic-head level.
• Identification of the aorta (Ao) as an arterial landmark.
• Identification of the IVC as a major venous landmark.
• Recognition of the splenic artery (SpA) when visualized.
• Assessment for ductal dilatation or focal narrowing.
• Assessment for intraluminal echogenic material when visible.
• Correlation of the CBD with surrounding pancreatic and upper abdominal structures.

Quick Scanning Checklist

1	Fast the patient for 8–12 hours when appropriate.
2	Position the patient supine.
3	Place the probe at the right subcostal region.
4	Rotate and angle the probe to obtain a transverse section through the upper pancreatic head.
5	Identify the Ao and IVC as major vascular landmarks.
6	Identify the SpA when visualized.
7	Identify and optimize the CBD.
8	Assess the CBD caliber and lumen in the transverse plane.
9	Review the labeled Au, PH, and numbered structures 1, 2, and 3 as shown in the supplied image.
10	Assess for ductal dilatation, narrowing, intraluminal material, or other abnormalities.
11	Complete the examination with additional hepatobiliary and pancreatic views when clinically indicated.

Diagnostic Pathology

The transverse right-subcostal view at the upper pancreatic-head level can assist in evaluating the CBD and its surrounding anatomy. Findings should be correlated with the complete hepatobiliary and pancreatic ultrasound examination.

Key Sonographic Findings

• Common bile duct dilatation: Increased CBD caliber requiring correlation with the proximal biliary tree and clinical context.
• CBD narrowing: Focal reduction in duct caliber that may require further assessment.
• Intraductal calculus: Echogenic intraluminal focus that may demonstrate posterior acoustic shadowing.
• Biliary sludge: Low-level or echogenic intraluminal material when adequately visualized.
• Obstructive pattern: CBD dilatation associated with upstream biliary dilatation or a possible obstructing process.
• Pancreatic-head abnormality: Altered surrounding tissue or mass effect that may affect the course or caliber of the CBD.
• Vascular landmark abnormality: Altered appearance of the visualized Ao, IVC, or SpA requiring correlation with the complete examination.
• Limited visualization: Bowel gas, patient habitus, or an unfavorable scanning window may limit demonstration of the CBD.

Diagnostic note: Abnormal findings should be interpreted together with the complete abdominal ultrasound examination, Doppler assessment when indicated, clinical history, and laboratory findings. A single sonographic sign should not be used in isolation to establish a diagnosis.

Image labeling note: The supplied image labels are preserved as: Au, PH, SpA, Ao, IVC, 1, 2, and 3. The target structure CBD is specified by the requested scanning title. The source image itself does not provide expanded meanings for Au, PH, or the numbered labels.

Hepatobiliary Ultrasound • Right Subcostal Approach

Diagnostic Sonography Reference