title: [Diagnostics for diseases of the gallbladder and biliary tract from the viewpoint of the internist and surgeon. Demands made on radiological diagnostics].
abstract: Jaundice and colic pain of the right upper quadrant are the main symptoms of biliary diseases. Gallstone-related diseases often lead to hospital admission. The evaluation of a patient with biliary symptoms requires a combination of history taking, physical examination, laboratory analysis, and imaging modalities. A high-quality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scan is usually sufficient to evaluate a patient with painless jaundice. Ultrasonography is helpful as an initial screening test to guide the diagnostic work-up. Invasive methods (e.g., ERCP) are mainly used for palliation of patients with incurable disease.
authors.affiliation: Krankenhaus Salem, Heidelberg. reimann.f@web.de
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Reimann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Friess
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010166:Palliative Care; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography