[Value of tissue harmonic imaging in biliary lithiasis].
OBJECTIVE
To define the role of harmonic imaging in the study of biliary lithiasis.


METHODS
We included 50 consecutive patients with suspected biliary lithiasis. Three independent observers compared results of harmonic imaging and conventional ultrasonography.


RESULTS
This study showed a better interobserver agreement with harmonic imaging for acoustic shadow (kappa=0.87 vs 0.68) and intra-hepatic biliary stones (kappa=0.79 vs 0.49). More stones and more lithiasic gallbladders were seen with harmonic imaging (27 vs 24) and visualization of gallbladder sludge and the acoustic shadow from stones (P=0.01) was better. Ultrasound examination appears to be easier and faster and the diagnosis is more certain with harmonic imaging than with conventional ultrasonography (P=0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
Harmonic imaging provides more information on biliary lithiasis and a more certain diagnosis.
Flunker
S
S
Service de Radiologie, CHU, Angers.
Aubé
C
C
Anglade
E
E
Vuillemin
E
E
Bourrée
Y
Y
Burtin
P
P
Caron-Poitreau
C
C
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016477:Artifacts; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000592:standards; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000209:etiology; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000209:etiology; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards