Routine sonographic techniques fail to quantify gallstone size and number: a retrospective study of 111 surgically proved cases

Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.

We analyzed sonographic images retrospectively to determine their value in quantifying gallstone size and number in 111 surgically proved stone-containing gallbladders for which routine preoperative sonograms were available. The number and size of of stones found on pathologic examination were correlated with the results of image analysis. In patients with more than one stone, observable size differences were recorded if the smallest stone diameter was less than 50% of the largest stone diameter. Estimates of gallstone size and number from preoperative sonograms were correct in only 23 (21%) of 111 cases. Stone size and number were overestimated as often as they were underestimated. Stones of a uniform size were recognized correctly in 59 (92%) of 64 cases. Stones of two different sizes were correctly identified in only 14 (30%) of 47 cases; the second, smaller stones were missed in 26 (79%) of 33 cases. These findings indicate poor sonographic characterization of gallbladder contents when imaging studies are performed solely to determine the presence or absence of gallstones.
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