Role of Ultrasonography in Diagnosis of Biliary Tract Diseases: A Single Centre Experience

Background:The development of new diagnostic imaging techniques has not eliminated the challenge of diagnosing right upper quadrant pain in some patients.This challenge persists for both clinicians and radiologists.To study the role of ultrasonography in diagnosing biliary tract diseases.Methods: This study included patients suspected of having biliary tract diseases who were admitted to the surgical wards of Shri Jagannath Medical College and Hospital, Puri, between August 2021 and July 2023.Results: Among the 104 patients in this study, 36 (34.6%) were diagnosed with acute cholecystitis through surgery and pathological examination.Ultrasonography identified acute cholecystitis in 44 patients.Of these, there were 34 true-positive diagnoses, 10 false-positive diagnoses (8 interpreted as chronic cholecystitis and 2 others), and 2 false-negative diagnoses.Maximal focal tenderness was located over the gallbladder fossa in 34 of the 36 patients with surgically and pathologically confirmed acute cholecystitis.Conclusion: Due to its advantages of being inexpensive, non-invasive, and time-saving (particularly for critically ill patients), along with its high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy, ultrasound has become the primary modality for investigating and managing biliary tract diseases.