Are multiple examinations of the gall-bladder helpful?
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.
Birch
P D
PD
General Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Cook
J V
JV
Fletcher
C J
CJ
Walsh
M T
MT
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