Imaging algorithm in the diagnosis of extrahepatic cholestasis

Abstract

A prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study was carried out at the Arnaldo Milian Castro hospital in Santa Clara during the period from May 2005 to May 2007. The sample was formed by 311 patients who had clinical symptoms of an extrahepatic cholestasis. They underwent an abdominal ultrasonography and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. There was a prevalence of extrahepatic cholestasis –both in the ultrasound and the cholangiography– as well as of odditis, choledocal lithiasis, chronic pancreatitis and paravaterian diverticulum. The most common point of obstruction was below the hepatocystic confluence. There was a correlation of 64.9 percent between the findings of both studies. An imaging algorithm was proposed to be used with all patients who are treated at the Emergency Room presenting clinical symptoms of cholestasis.

Keywords

• obstrucción del conducto biliar extrahepático
• ultrasonografia
• colangiografia
• algoritmos