scared silly about my condition

  I posted a message last week and haven't had a relpy yet. That's ok. I realize you are busy people. I will just ask a simplified question.  What causes the common bile duct in the liver to become dilated. Mine is about 4 times the norm size. I am facing surgery on my liver within a very short time and am scared silly. Also, I have gained 12 pounds in the past couple of days. It appears to be fluid in my abdomen and I sound like a walking water bottle. I gained 4 pounds today in fluid. Is this dangerous? It is uncomfortable.  Thanks for your help.
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Dear "SW",
I am sorry to read that you not well. Before I detail the causes of a dilated bile duct, allow me to briefly explain the anatomy and function of the bile duct. Bile is formed in the liver. It then drains through two hepatic ducts into the gall bladder. During digestion bile passes from the gall bladder to the small intestine via the common bile duct. The common bile duct travels from the undersurface of the liver, through the pancreas and finally opens into the small intestine.
Dilation of the bile duct is usually due to obstruction. The obstruction can occur at any point along the duct. The common bile duct can be dilated due to a large number of reasons.  Tumors in the pancreas or the bile ducts, cysts of the bile ducts, and compression of the bile ducts by surrounding lymph nodes can produce a dilated bile duct.  Stones blocking the common bile duct also cause dilation.
Rapid accumulation of intra-abdominal fluid along with marked dilation of bile ducts requires investigation. Possibilities to consider are tumors of the pancreas or bile duct , cirrhosis of the liver or clot in the veins draining the liver.  You are correct that the weight gain that you have experienced is most likely related to fluid,  The fluid accumulation will impair your mobility.  As long as you are not short of breath and do not have abdominal pains and fever, the fluid is not causing problems.  Obviously, it is crucial to determine the underlying problems in order to develop a treatment plan.  
You have mentioned that you are having surgery on your liver within a very short time. What is the surgery for? May I assume that you have been informed about possible diagnoses since you have consented to the surgery?
Your clinical problem is extremely complex. Only your doctors, who know your medical condition can properly advise you. If you wish, we can arrange for you to be seen by  Dr Ben Menahem, one of our experts in biliary disease, at Henry Ford Hospital.  You can call our Physician Referral Line at [phone].
HFHSM.D.-sg
*keywords: ascites, bile duct, gallstones, tumor
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