[Endosonography in diagnosis of choledocholithiasis]

In 38-80% patients with suspicion to choledocholithiasis were no stones in common bile duct (CBD) after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). ERCP is not safe procedure and has a risk of complications ranging 4-15%. The aim of our study was to estimate the diagnostic value and safety of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in CBD stones diagnosis.

In patients with medium probability of CBD stones (i.e. CBD ≤ 10 mm and/or bilirubin ≤ 2 times upper normal) was performed BUS with Pentax EG-3870UTK and Hitachi EUB-7000HV. From September 2012 till December 2013 it were done 72 investigations in patients with suspicion of CBD stones.

After EUS suspicion for CBD stones were in 21 patients. Average size of hyperechoic defects was 5.6 ± 3.3 (2-12) mm. ERCP was performed in 20 of them. Stones were confirmed and removed in 18 patients, in 2 patients without stones it was found a stricture of terminal part of CBD. In 9 patients absence of stones was confirmed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with IOC. Patients without indications to cholecystectomy were followed for six months and there were no additional investigations. It were no complications after EUS. EUS sensitivity was 100%, specificity--96.2%, PPV--90%, NPV--100%.

EUS is effective tool for diagnosis of CBD stones in patients with medium probability of choledocholithiasis. It could be recommended as a first diagnostic step in these patients because the risk of complications is negligible.