[Inoperative ultrasound tomography in surgery of the bile ducts]

Intra-operative ultrasonic tomography has proved to be superior to cholangiography for a number of aspects, including avoidance of both contrast media and radiation exposure as well as increase in potential information due to possible checkup of surrounding regions (gall bladder, liver, pancreas). Accurate coverage of prepapillary area and the papilla proper is somewhat difficult with this method. Bile duct stones were recorded from nine of 52 patients examined by both methods. Concrement stayed undetected by ultrasound in one case and sludge in another. Nevertheless, the assumption is made that under certain conditions intra-operative cholangiography can be substituted with good success by intra-operative ultrasonic tomography.