Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the detection of small stones in the gallbladder

Multiple small (2-5 mm in size) gallstones were demonstrated only by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in eight patients who had recurrent upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Three patients had mild, rapidly resolving abnormalities of liver biochemistry and serum amylase. In the other five, both serum amylase and liver biochemistry were repeatedly normal. We conclude that endoscopic retrograde cholangiography may be useful in the detection of small gallstones in patients with symptoms suggestive of biliary tract disease, even in the presence of normal oral cholecystography, ultrasonography, serum amylase, and liver biochemistry.