Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

What condition is indicated by the dilation of the ampulla of water?

1. Common duct stones

2. Pancreatitis

3. Cholecystitis

4. Fatty liver disease

The correct answer is: Common duct stones

The condition indicated by the dilation of the ampulla of Water is indeed associated with common duct stones. The ampulla of Water, also known as the ampulla of the hepatopancreatic duct, is the site where the common bile duct and the pancreatic duct converge and empty into the duodenum. When there are stones present in the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis), they can obstruct the flow of bile and sometimes pancreatic secretions into the intestine. This obstruction leads to an increase in pressure proximal to the site of the blockage, which results in the dilation of the ampulla. This dilation can be visualized through imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography). It’s a significant finding that often suggests the need for intervention to remove the stones and relieve the obstruction to prevent further complications, such as pancreatitis or cholangitis. Conditions like pancreatitis, cholecystitis, or fatty liver disease may involve the biliary system or the pancreas, but they do not specifically cause dilation of the ampulla of Water. Instead, they each present with distinct clinical features and associated findings that differ from those observed in case of obstructive jaundice caused