Figure 24. Mural thickening of the entire common bile duct due to stent placement. Sagittal US scan through the hepatoduodenal ligaments shows a circumferentially thickened common hepatic duct (arrowheads) with preservation of luminal patency. This thickening is difficult to differentiate from a nodular cholangiocarcinoma or cholangitis. A stent is present but is not seen on this view. PV = portal vein.