Preoperative screening for common bile duct stones with infusion cholangiography: review of 1000 patients.
OBJECTIVE
The authors aimed to study the safety and accuracy of infusion cholangiography in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


BACKGROUND
Intravenous cholangiography is a theoretically attractive method of screening the common bile duct for stones. However, there still remain serious reservations regarding its safety and accuracy, despite some reports in the literature to the contrary.


METHODS
A personal series of 1000 patients undergoing routine preoperative infusion cholangiography was reviewed.


RESULTS
The cholangiograms detected bile duct stones with a sensitivity of 93.3% and a specificity of 99.3%. There were no serious contrast reactions, and the minor contrast reaction rate was 0.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors conclude that infusion cholangiography is indeed safe and accurate and should play a substantial role in preoperative screening for incidental common bile duct stones.
Lindsey
I
I
Department of Surgery, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Nottle
P D
PD
Sacharias
N
N
D002758:Cholangiography / Q000379:methods; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D010535:Laparoscopy; D018579:Patient Selection; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D003287:Contrast Media