hepatic and biliary disorders
Cholelithiasis
Diagnosis of Cholelithiasis
Ultrasonography Gallstones are suspected in patients with biliary colic. Abdominal ultrasonography is the Ultrasonography of choice for detecting gallbladder stones; sensitivity and specificity are 95%. Ultrasonography also accurately detects sludge. CT and MRI are alternatives. Endoscopic ultrasonography accurately detects small gallstones ( Laboratory tests usually are not helpful; typically, results are normal unless complications develop. Asymptomatic gallstones and biliary sludge are often detected incidentally when imaging, usually ultrasonography, is done for other reasons. About 10 to 15% of gallstones are calcified and visible on plain x-rays. 