Papilla of Vater: normal sonographic appearance.

Abstract

To ascertain the normal appearance of the papilla of Vater with transabdominal sonography, 37 subjects without biliary or pancreatic disease were examined with high resolution sonographic equipment. The normal appearance of the papilla and its frequency of visualization were evaluated. Characteristically the papilla of Vater appeared as a blind-ending cylindrical or oval structure projecting into the duodenal lumen at the distal end of the common bile duct. The diameter ranged from 3 mm to 6 mm (mean, 4.4 mm). Among the 37 subjects, the papilla was well demonstrated in 28 subjects (76%), fairly well demonstrated in five subjects (14%), and not demonstrated in four subjects (10%). Awareness of the normal sonographic appearance of the papilla of Vater on transabdominal sonography may be helpful in the evaluation of periampullary pathology.