Preoperative, Intraoperative, and Postoperative Imaging Techniques for Diagnosis Leading to the Treatment of Common Bile Duct Stones.

All patients undergoing laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy are potentially harboring common bile duct (CBD) stones. Because laparoscopic cholecystectomy imposes a greater challenge for managing choledocholithiasis, the tests chosen to evaluate the CBD must consider the ability of the surgeon to manage these stones. Those who are skilled at laparoscopic CBD exploration or intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may take the traditional approach of intraoperative cholangiography. Those who are not skilled at intraoperative management of choledocholithiasis, or for that matter laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiography, must carefully plan when and how to determine the presence of CBD stones. Preoperative imaging techniques include biochemical tests, plain film of the abdomen, oral cholecystography, ultrasonography (US), endoscopic US, intravenous cholangiography, ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, choledochoscopy, computed tomography, radioisotope imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. Intraoperative imaging techniques include intraoperative US, intraoperative cholangiography, choledochoscopy, ERCP, and endoluminal US. Postoperative imaging techniques include preoperative techniques plus T-tube cholangiography and T-tube choledochoscopy.