Diagnostic Accuracy of Computed Tomography Scan in Diagnosing Common Bile Duct Calculi Taking Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography as Gold Standard

Background: Common bile duct stones are a frequent cause of obstructive jaundice, leading to significant morbidity. Accurate non-invasive diagnosis is key to timely treatment. Whereas endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography remains the reference standard, subsequent use of computed tomography offers a less invasive alternative, though accuracy differs among populations. Objective: To determine diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography scan in diagnosing common bile duct calculi taking endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as gold standard. Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Duration and Place of Study: This study was conducted from January 2025 to May 2025 at the Radiology Department of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Methodology: A group of 218 individuals between the ages of 20 and 60, all exhibiting symptoms of obstructive jaundice, were included in the study. Each participant received a computed tomography (CT) scan prior to undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The CT scans were examined for the presence of common bile duct stones, and key diagnostic metrics—such as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall accuracy—were determined by contrasting the CT outcomes with those obtained from ERCP. Results: The mean age of patients was 39.21 ± 9.36 years, with a female predominance (62.8%). CT demonstrated a sensitivity of 80.3%, specificity of 85.5%, and overall diagnostic accuracy of 83.9% for detecting CBD stones. Conclusion: Computed tomography is a reliable, non-invasive imaging modality with high diagnostic accuracy for detecting common bile duct calculi.