Ultrasonography of the Gall Bladder in Jaundiced Patients

Abstract

Evaluation of the gall bladder bv ultrasonography in the presence of jaundice provides in many instances extremely valuable clinical information. 37 patients with elevated bilirubin preventing radiographic examination have undergone ultrasonic cholecystography. In 17 of these the gall bladder was demonstrated to be moderately or markedly dilated due to common duct obstruction. The remainder had normal or small gall bladders. Jaundice in the latter group was due to other causes including hepatic duct obstruction. A normal-sized gall bladder may exist in the presence of common duct obstruction due to post-inflammatory fibrosis. Moderate or marked dilatation of the gall bladder in a jaundiced patient may be considered a reliable indicator of the presence of common duct obstruction and not parenchymal disease. The converse is not true. Ultrasonographic cholecystography is strongly recommended for earlv use in the evaluation of the jaundiced patient.