title: Laparoscopic sonography of the biliary tree and pancreas.
abstract: LUS has a crucial role in minimally invasive approaches to diseases of the pancreatico-biliary system. The superior imaging capability of modern sonography devices and the growing interest and expertise in their use are optimizing surgical management and decision making during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, staging of pancreatic malignancy, and other procedures discussed in this article. The authors and their colleagues continue to modify these techniques as they learn more about LUS and its clinical capabilities. As the technology progresses, surgeons should embrace it and use it to its fullest potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, St. Vincent Hospital and Health Care Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Menack
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Arregui
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007516:Adenoma, Islet Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010182:Pancreatic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D010192:Pancreatic Pseudocyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D014463:Ultrasonography