title: Ultrasound evaluation of cholelithiasis in the morbidly obese.
abstract: The ability to detect gallstones in the morbidly obese population has been questioned in recent literature. Utilizing state-of-the-art, real-time ultrasound equipment, 44 morbidly obese patients were examined prior to gastric exclusion surgery and concomitant cholecystectomy. The 91% sensitivity and 100% specificity of gallstone detection in this series matches the results for the general population. This study provided the unique opportunity to evaluate a large number (34) of negative ultrasound examinations, with subsequent surgical confirmation yielding a negative predictive value of 97%. This confirms the continued role of ultrasound in the evaluation of cholelithiasis.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009767:Obesity, Morbid / Q000150:complications*; D014463:Ultrasonography