title: Accuracy of ED Bedside Ultrasound for Identification of gallstones: retrospective analysis of 575 studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the ability of emergency department (ED) physicians to diagnose cholelithiasis with bedside ultrasound.
  
  
  METHODS
  ED gallbladder ultrasounds recorded over 37 months were compared to radiology ultrasound interpretation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1,690 ED gallbladder ultrasound scans performed during this period, radiology ultrasound was performed in 575/1690 (34%) cases. ED physician bedside interpretation was 88% sensitive [95% CI, 84-91] and 87% specific [95% CI, 82-91], while positive predictive value (PPV) was 91% [88-94%] and negative predictive value (NPV) was 83% [78-87%], using radiology interpretation as the criterion reference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ED physician ultrasound of the gallbladder for cholelithiasis is both sensitive and specific.
authors: Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Irvine, School of Medicine.
authors: William
authors: W
authors: Scruggs
authors: J Christian
authors: JC
authors: Fox
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Potts
authors: Alexander
authors: A
authors: Zlidenny
authors: JoAnne
authors: J
authors: McDonough
authors: Joanne
authors: J
authors: McDonough
authors: Craig L
authors: CL
authors: Anderson
authors: Jarrod
authors: J
authors: Larson
authors: Graciela
authors: G
authors: Barajas
authors: Mark I
authors: MI
authors: Langdorf