Radiological and ultrasonographic investigations with respect to patient selection and monitoring for chemical gallstone dissolution.

786 consecutive patients with suspected gallstones investigated radiologically and ultrasonographically, 231 (33.0%) were found to have stones. Radiological examinations showed that 59.3% of these were suitable for chemical dissolution with cheno- or ursodeoxycholic acid. The percentage of treatable patients fell from age 20 to age 65 from 71% to 48% (p less than 0.05) and then rose again to 61% (not significant). The benefit of litholysis is greater, the earlier it is begun. The results are in disagreement with those of two studies in operated patients. Here only 19-24% were suitable for stone dissolution. Comparative ultrasonographic and radiological studies in 23 patients have shown that monitoring of patients during litholysis can be carried out ultrasonographically. Stone size measured ultrasonographically corresponds sufficiently accurately with that obtained radiographically.