Accuracy of ED Bedside Ultrasound for Identification of gallstones: retrospective analysis of 575 studies.
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.
Scruggs
William
W
Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California Irvine, School of Medicine.
Fox
J Christian
JC
Potts
Brian
B
Zlidenny
Alexander
A
McDonough
JoAnne
J
McDonough
Joanne
J
Anderson
Craig L
CL
Larson
Jarrod
J
Barajas
Graciela
G
Langdorf
Mark I
MI