Presence of gallstones is a poor indicator of the cause of obstructive jaundice.

In a series of 56 patients with obstructive jaundice, the presence or absence of calculi in the gallbladder has been correlated with the cause of the obstruction. Seven of 23 patients with obstruction caused by stone had no calculi in the gallbladder. Twelve of 33 patients with obstruction due to tumor also had gallstones. It was concluded that the presence of calculi in the gallbladder is a poor indicator of the cause of obstructive jaundice.