Gallstone Pancreatitis and Choledocholithiasis: Using Imaging and Laboratory Trends to Predict the Likelihood of Persistent Stones at Cholangiography.

BACKGROUND

Patients with gallstone pancreatitis (GP) or choledocholithiasis (CDL) may have common bile duct (CBD) stones that persist until cholangiography. The aim of this study is to evaluate pre-cholangiogram factors that predict persistent CBD stones.

METHODS

Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify demographic, laboratory, and radiologic predictors of persistent CBD stones and non-therapeutic cholangiography among adults with GP or CDL.

RESULTS

In 152 patients from 2010 to 2015, preoperative diagnosis, presence of a CBD stone on US, and age ≥ 60 years were associated with persistent CBD stones. Two risk factors alone had a PPV of 88% and the absence of all risk factors had a NPV of 94%. Age < 60 years and the absence of a CBD stone on US were most predictive of non-therapeutic cholangiography.

CONCLUSION

Age, LFTs, and US help predict persistent CBD stones in patients initially presenting with GP or CDL and help minimize non-therapeutic preoperative cholangiography.