[The importance of sonography in bile duct surgery]

Ultrasonographic examination was carried out on 38 patients suffering from obstructive jaundice. Diagnoses after these examinations were compared with the intraoperative findings: 37 of the 38 obstructions of the bile ducts had been diagnosed and located correctly. No such success was obtained in the identification of the aetiology. Of 15 cases of gall stones 9 were identified and of 20 tumors 15 were determined. A skilled examiner performs the examination in less than half an hour. The method is not invasive and may be applied also on patients with severe malfunction of the liver. Even high risk patients can undergo this examination without undue sufferings.