The prospective diagnostic value of real-time cholecystosonography

A series of 82 consecutive patients scheduled for operation, with pre-operatively obtained P.O. cholecystography and in some cases also I.V. cholangiography, is presented. All patients had cholecystosonography performed "blindly" the day prior to the operation (76 had a cholecystectomy and six had a vagotomy). Based upon the operative findings, the diagnostic value of ultrasonic examination for gallstones can be calculated to predictive value of positive test--1.00; predictive value of negative test--0.71. The diagnostic failures are discussed but it is not possible to predict which patients will benefit more from peroral cholecystography rather than from ultrasound. It is concluded that cholecystosonography is a safe alternative to peroral cholecystography.