Use of duodenal drainage in the diagnosis of acalculous gallbladder disease.

Because of overreliance on oral cholecystograms, we have re-evaluated a little used laboratory test, duodenal drainage. In a series of 56 patients with normal oral cholecystograms and upper GI series who underwent duodenal drainage and cholecystectomy, 53 (95%) were found to have positive microscopic examinations. We think duodenal drainage is a safe, simple test which should be used as an adjunct to history and physical examination and oral cholecystography. In regard to clinical follow-up, 96 per cent of patients followed were judged to have excellent-to-good results.