The diagnostic value of ultrasonography, infusion tomography of the gall-bladder and sup(99m)Tc-DIDA hepatobiliary scanning in cases of suspected acute cholecystitis

Ultrasonography, infusion tomography of the gall-bladder and sup(99m)Tc-diethyl acetanilide iminodiacetic acid (DIDA) hepatobiliary scanning were compared in a prospective investigation of 45 consecutive patients in whom acute cholecystitis was suspected clinically. The definitive diagosis of acute cholecystitis was established or excluded at operation in 35 patients, by oral cholecystography in five and by intravenous cholangiography in five. The predictive values of positive and negative results of investigation were 100% and 83%. respectively, with ultrasonography and 98% and 88%, respectively, in hepatobiliary scanning. The corresponding values for infusion tomography were 87% and 33%, respectively. It is concluded from these results that ultrasonography and sup(99m)Tc-DIDA hepatobiliary scanning are capable of establishing the diagnosis rapidly and with certainty in cases of suspected acute cholecystitis. A preliminary account of the results of routine employment of sup(99m)Tc-DIDA hepatobiliary scanning in 29 consecutive patients revealed no erroneous diagnoses. In the majority of patients with acute cholecystitis, operation proved possible within 48 hours of admission. (auth.)