Ultrasonography, 99mTc-DIDA cholescintigraphy, and infusion tomography in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.

Ultrasonography, 99mTc-DIDA cholescintigraphy, and infusion tomography of the gallbladder were compared in a prospective study comprising 45 consecutive patients clinically suspected of having acute cholecystitis. The diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was established or excluded by operation in 35 patients, by oral cholecystography in 5, and by intravenous cholangiography in 5. The predictive values of a positive and a negative test were 100% and 83%, respectively, by ultrasonography and 98% and 88% by cholescintigraphy. Corresponding values for infusion tomography were 87% and 33%. The results suggest that in patients suspected of having acute cholecystitis, 99mTc-DIDA cholescintigraphy and ultrasonography provide a rapid and reliable diagnosis.