In a retrospective study to correlate preoperative ultrasonic findings with operative findings in 80 patients with symptoms of biliary tract disease, ultrasound was 75% accurate in predicting the presence or absence of gallstones. Of all positive ultrasonic studies, 95% correlated with gallbladder disease of some kind. The diseased gallbladder without stones may still produce ultrasonic abnormalities, allowing detection of inflammatory changes. Ultrasound is indicated in acute conditions of the abdomen, in patients with jaundice or allergy to contrast agents, and as an adjunct to other diagnostic modalities.
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