This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS

Emergency surgeon‐performed hepatobiliary ultrasonography. BJS 2002; 89: 1402-1404.

Published: 2nd December 2002

Authors: M. R. Kell, N. J. Aherne, C. Coffey, C. P. Power, W. O. Kirwan, H. P. Redmond et al.

Background

Acute hepatobiliary pathology is a common general surgical emergency referral. Diagnosis requires imaging of the biliary tree by ultrasonography. The accuracy and impact of surgeon‐performed ultrasonography (SUS) on the diagnosis of emergent hepatobiliary pathology was examined.

Method

A prospective study, over a 6‐month period, enrolled all patients with symptoms or signs of acute hepatobiliary pathology. Patients provided informed consent and underwent both SUS and standard radiology‐performed ultrasonography (RUS). SUS was performed using a 2–5‐MHz broadband portable ultrasound probe by two surgeons trained in ultrasonography, and RUS using a 2–5‐MHz fixed unit. SUS results were correlated with those of RUS and pathological diagnoses.

Results

Fifty‐three consecutive patients underwent 106 ultrasonographic investigations. SUS agreed with RUS in 50 (94·3 per cent) of 53 patients. SUS accurately detected cholelithiasis in all but two cases and no patient was inaccurately diagnosed as having cholelithiasis at SUS (95·2 per cent sensitivity and 100 per cent specificity). As an overall complementary diagnostic tool SUS provided the correct diagnosis in 96·2 per cent of patients. Time to scan was significantly shorter following SUS (3·1 versus 12·0 h, P < 0·05).

Conclusion

Full text