[Value of sonography in the diagnosis of obscure cholestasis]

A retrospective study has been conducted in 36 cholestatic patients to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in preliminary differentiation of obstructive from non-obstructive hepato-biliary disease. Due to the high rate of correct biliary duct caliber evaluation, ultrasonography has proved itself an excellent screening method in patients with cholestasis of uncertain origin. The choice of the subsequent more invasive diagnostic examinations (ERC, PTC, laparoscopy) depends on the ultrasonic findings.