Common bile duct stones have been reported to occur in up to 15% of patients with
symptomatic gallstones.
1
Although the sensitivity of abdominal US for cholelithiasis or gallbladder stones
is in excess of 95%,
2
,
3
,
4
reported sensitivities of US for common duct stones range from 18% to 74%.
5
,
6
This variable sensitivity is related in part to the operator-dependent nature of
US and the obscuration of stones by bowel gas. Sensitivities of conventional CT in
the setting of suspected choledocholithiasis range from 76% to 90%.
7
,
8
In a preliminary report, unenhanced helical CT has been shown to have a sensitivity
of 88%, a specificity of 97%, and an accuracy of 94% in the diagnosis of common bile
duct stones.
9
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Article info
Footnotes
☆Reprint requests: Ann S. Fulcher, MD, Director, Abdominal Imaging Section & Abdominal MR, Department of Radiology, 401 N 12th St., Room 3-407B, P.O. Box 980615, Medical College of Virginia of Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0615.
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© 2002 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
