[Usefulness of bile analysis collected via endoscopy in the diagnosis of microlithiasis and biliary sludge]

The search for cholesterol crystals in the bile, drawn during the endoscopy, represents a simple and reliable method in the diagnosis of the symptomatic biliary sludge. In our patients it was present in 82% of the cases. The injection of cholecystokinin appears to us absolutely necessary in order to obtain vesicular bile. The sensitiveness of abdominal sonography in the diagnosis of biliary sludge is weak, 13% of our cases. The clinical evolution with ursodeoxycholic acid treatment has been favourable in 83% of the treated patients.