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Ultrasound in the diagnosis of jaundice — a review
Author(s) -
Cooper Denise,
Tarrant Judy,
Whelan Greg,
Styles Colin B.,
Cook Mark,
Desmond Paul V.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1985.tb123090.x
Subject(s) - medicine , ultrasound , jaundice , cholecystectomy , radiology , obstructive jaundice , liver function tests , bile duct , general surgery , surgery
A retrospective study of 92 jaundiced patients undergoing ultrasound examination was undertaken to assess the clinical utility of this test. The patients were graded according to the likelihood of biliary obstruction. In those in whom biliary obstruction was proven to be present, the sensitivity of ultrasound to detect the obstruction was 91 % and the test specificity was 100%. In patients who had undergone cholecystectomy no increase in the diameter of the common duct was observed. Liver function tests proved to be unreliable in discriminating between extrahepatic obstructive jaundice and other forms of jaundice. Ultrasound scanning is a useful screening test in the diagnosis of the jaundiced patient. However, follow‐up is suggested for those with a negative result of this test but in whom biliary obstruction is suspected. An approach to the investigation of the jaundiced patient should include early ultrasound examination in those with possible biliary obstruction.