title: Are multiple examinations of the gall-bladder helpful?
abstract: The pattern of use of the oral cholecystogram and ultrasonocholecystography in the investigation of 1014 patients prior to cholecystectomy was analysed. Three hundred and sixty-eight (36.3%) of our patients had both an oral cholecystogram and an ultrasound examination of the gallbladder. In 193 (52.4%) of these the initial investigation was positive: the second test in this group was rarely helpful and sometimes confusing. Overall the predictive value of a positive first study was 98.5%. We conclude that the use of further investigation following an initially positive result is not justified. By these criteria 18.5% of patients had an unnecessary second investigation.
authors.affiliation: General Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Birch
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002765:Cholecystography; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography