To benefit from the usefulness of ultrasonography in measurement of common bile duct in opiate addicts and to correlate between the common bile duct (CBD) diameter and the duration of addiction.

Fifteen addicts, diagnosed according to DSM IV diagnostic criteria, were examined by abdominal ultrasound. The common bile duct is measured and the results were analyzed with other factors like age, the period of addiction, laboratory findings.

According to the findings, there is a significant increase in the range of the CBD diameter in comparison with normal bile ducts. Also, the mean diameter of the CBD in the different age groups showed a significant difference (p < 0.01) and there was a positive significant correlation between the CBD diameter and the period of addiction (p < 0.05, r = 0.875); the multiple comparisons shows that the significant difference between the 3 age groups were due to a significance between group (1) & (2), and group (1) & (3) but no significance between group (2) & (3). So, with the increased length of the addiction period, the mean CBD diameter increases.

In opiate addicts, the common bile duct is found to be dilated; however with normal serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase level and no obstructive causes by ultrasound examination, no need for any further assessment.