Cholecystography

Abstract: Imaging of the gallbladder for cholelithiasis and its complications has changed dramatically in recent decades along with expansion of interventional techniques related to the disease. Ultrasonography (US) is the method of choice for detection of gallstones. The characteristic US findings of gallstones are a highly reflective echo from the anterior surface of the gallstone, mobility of the gallstone on repositioning the patient, and marked posterior acoustic shadowing. Oral cholecystography remains an excellent method of gallstone detection, but its role has been limited due to the advantages of US. Most people with cholelithiasis will not experience symptoms or complications related to gallstones. When biliary colic does occur, it is typically caused by transient obstruction of the cystic duct by a stone. The primary imaging modality in suspected acute calculous cholecystitis is usually US or cholescintigraphy. Detection of gallstones alone does not permit a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis; however, secondary US findings provide more specific information. In detection of choledocholithiasis, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography are superior to US. In certain clinical settings, interventional radiologic procedures have become an important alternative to surgery in the treatment of gallstones and their complications; techniques include percutaneous cholecystostomy and gallstone removal.

Abstract: We evaluated the gallbladders of 121 patients who had well-documented primary sclerosing cholangitis. Sonograms, cholangiograms, and CT scans were reviewed, and the findings were correlated with surgical or autopsy findings, when available. Pathologic examination of the gallbladder was available in 55 (45%) of the 121 patients; of these, 49 (89%) had abnormal gallbladders. Ninety-three of the 121 patients had one or more radiologic examinations of the gallbladder: 77 had sonograms, 80 had cholangiograms, and 18 had CT scans. Seventy-five (62%) of the 121 patients had abnormal gallbladders on histologic examination or had positive findings on one or more imaging study. By excluding 25 patients who had histologic changes of borderline significance and/or patients who had thick-walled gallbladders attributable to end-stage liver disease, we concluded that 50 (41%) of the 121 patients had intrinsic abnormalities of the gallbladder. Thirty-two (26%) had gallstones, 18 (15%) had probable primary sclerosing cholangitis involving the gallbladder, and five (4%) had benign or malignant neoplasms. Our study indicates that gallbladder abnormalities are common among patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis, and sonography is the most useful technique for evaluating these conditions.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Our objective was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal symptoms in gallstones in studies using ultrasonography or oral cholecystography as the reference standard and to assess the extent to which variability in diagnostic accuracy is explained by patient selection and other characteristics of study design. METHODS A Medline search (1966-1998) was conducted in combination with reference checking for further relevant publications. Two independent assessors selected controlled studies that included patients > or =18 years of age. Articles were excluded if sensitivity and specificity could not be extracted or the included patients were at extraordinary risk for gallstones. Seven abdominal symptoms were evaluated. Modification of the diagnostic accuracy by clinical setting, extent of the disease, blinding, age, and sex was analysed by using logistic regression. RESULTS A total of 24 publications were included. The symptoms 'biliary colic', 'radiating pain', and 'analgesics used' were consistently related to gallstones. The setting of the study had a significant effect on the diagnostic accuracy of these symptoms. The unadjusted, pooled diagnostic odds ratios, however, were low (2.6 (95% confidence interval, 2.4-2.9), 2.8 (2.2-3.7), and 2 (1.6-2.5), respectively). The diagnostic odds ratio of biliary colic increased with the extent of gallstone disease (13.3 (4.2-42). CONCLUSIONS Although biliary colic was specific for gallstones, 80% of the referred patients with gallstones presented with other abdominal symptoms. There is no current evidence that justifies the use of single abdominal symptoms, other than biliary colic, in the diagnosis of symptomatic gallstones. Further research should focus on the prognosis of patients with non-specific abdominal symptoms and gallstones.

Abstract: Over the past two decades, ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) have emerged as the principal imaging methods for diagnostic examination of the liver and biliary tree. The other noninvasive imaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), oral cholecystography, and nuclear scintigraphy, are used for difficult diagnostic problems, and invasive studies, such as angiography and direct cholangiography (transhepatic or retrograde), are increasingly used for treatment. Recent Technical Advances Advances in electronics have improved diagnostic imaging. Perhaps the most important advance in liver imaging has been the introduction of helical or spiral CT scanning.1 With conventional CT scanners, the CT table remains . . .