Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasonography in the clinical suspicion of biliary disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a very sensitive and specific technique for the diagnosis of biliary diseases. This procedure has proven its usefulness in cases of high suspicion of biliary disease (history of gallstones and dilatation of the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts). We know less about its usefulness in cases of low suspicion of biliary pathology.The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of EUS in patients with low suspicion of biliary disease (patients with dilatation of the biliary tract were excluded).

METHODS

33 patients with low suspicion of biliary disease were recruited in 12 months. All of them had no biliary findings in a previous abdominal ultrasound and computer tomography scan. All of them underwent EUS and were studied prospectively. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery and/or by ERCP in patients with positive EUS or clinical follow-up in those with normal EUS. Time of follow-up was 9 months (range, 3-12 months).

RESULTS

seventeen patients (51.5%) presented with abnormal biliary findings on EUS (7 choledocholithiasis, 3 cholelithiasis, 2 choledocholithiasis + cholelithiasis and 5 microlithiasis).

CONCLUSION

EUS is a useful and safe procedure for diagnosing patients with low suspicion of biliary disease.