Use of ultrasound to demonstrate gallstones in symptomatic patients with normal oral cholecystograms.

Seven patients who had typical and persistent symptoms of gallbladder disease but repeatedly normal oral cholecystograms were seen in an 18 month period. Ultrasound examination of the gallbladder was diagnostic of cholelithiasis in all seven patients. Six patients were found to have gallstones at operation, and the seventh had histologically proved chronic cholecystitis. Although oral cholecystrography is a highly accurate examination, false-negative results do occur. Gray scale ultrasonography is a safe and also highly accurate means of providing objective evidence of cholelithiasis in patients clinically thought to have gallstones despite normal oral cholecystograms.