Utility of endoscopic ultrasound to diagnose remnant stones in symptomatic patients after cholecystectomy

Background and study aims: Stones in the cystic duct stump (CDS) or gallbladder remnant after cholecystectomy are difficult to identify. The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in the diagnosis of stones in the CDS or gallbladder remnant in patients with postcholecystectomy syndrome.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted between January 2011 and December 2012 in consecutive patients with pancreaticobiliary-type pain or acute pancreatitis (n = 112) following cholecystectomy. Diagnostic modalities including EUS were used to diagnose the cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome.

Results: A total of 11 patients (10 %) were found to have stones in the gallbladder remnant (n = 8), CDS (n = 2), or both (n = 1). In eight patients, EUS was the first imaging procedure to make the diagnosis. Seven patients agreed to undergo repeat surgery, and six of them remained free of symptoms postoperatively after a median follow-up period of 4 months (range 1 – 13 months).

Conclusion: EUS may be an important procedure to consider in the study of patients with symptoms after cholecystectomy, as the diagnosis of residual stones is frequently missed by other imaging modalities.

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