Evaluation of biliary tract disease by ultrasonic B-mode scanning.

To establish the value of diagnostic ultrasound (sonar) in the diagnosis of bilitary tract disease, 140 patients were scanned and also had a plain film of the biliary tract. Of these, 105 had contrast radiography and 123 were subjected to laparotomy. The results obtained suggest that in the absence of jaundice, sonar compares well with oral cholecystography in demonstrating the gallbladder, but is not as good as intravenous cholangiography in showing the duct system. In the presence of jaundice, however, sonar is considered the imaging investigation of choice.