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Endoscopy 2003; 35(5): 411-415
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-38778
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Do Normal Findings at Biliary Endoscopic Ultrasonography Obviate the Need for Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography in Patients with Suspicion of Common Bile Duct Stone? A Prospective Follow-Up Study of 238 Patients

B.  Napoléon 1, 2 , J.  Dumortier 1 , O.  Keriven-Souquet 1 , B.  Pujol 1, 2 , T.  Ponchon 1 , J.-C.  Souquet 1
  • 1 Fédération des Spécialités Digestives, Hôpital Edouard Herriot, Lyon, France
  • 2 Clinique Saint-Jean, Lyon, France
Further Information

Publication History

Submitted 11 April 2002

Accepted after Revision 7 November 2002

Publication Date:
17 April 2003 (online)

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Background and Study Aims: Biliary endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) are equally accurate for the diagnosis of common bile duct (CBD) stone. The aim of this prospective 1-year follow-up study was to determine whether normal findings at initial EUS obviated the need for ERC.
Patients and Methods: During a 17-month period, all patients referred for biliary EUS because of suspicion of CBD stone, in whom EUS findings were normal were included in the study. Early (1-month) and late (1-year) follow-up details were obtained by mail or telephone. The clinical course and need for ERC were recorded.

Results: 238 patients were enrolled. During follow-up, 59 (25 %) patients underwent cholecystectomy, with (n = 31) or without (n = 28) cholangiography, and 30 patients underwent ERC (13 %). CBD stone was found in 14 (6 %) patients. Of these 30 patients, ERC was done in 15 cases in the first week after EUS, because of persistent suspicion of a CBD stone which was found in 10 patients. The 15 late ERC procedures (carried out more than 1 week after EUS) revealed only one CBD stone. The negative predictive value of EUS for the diagnosis of CBD stones was 95.4 %.
Conclusions: Patients with suspicion of CBD stones but normal EUS findings have a low risk of needing ERC in a 1-year period.

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B. Napoléon, M.D.

Pavillon H bis

Hôpital Edouard Herriot · 5 place d’Arsonval · 69437 Lyon cedex 03 · France

Fax: + 33-4-72110147

Email: bertrand.napoleon@libertysurf.fr

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