The Role of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Gallstones and Assessment of Gallbladder Function

A study of 46 patients diagnosed with gallstones by ultrasound, with indications for assessment of gallbladder function to consider percutaneous gallstone lithotripsy at several hospitals in Hanoi from August 2019 to March 2020. Result: mean age 41.76 ± 16.11, common age 30-50. Gallstones are more common in women than in men, with a male/female ratio of 1:1.1. Average BMI accounted for 76.9%; 45.7% of cases had one stone; gravel with size >10 mm accounted for the majority of 76.1%; 89% of stones were mobile, 95.7% of stones were hyperechoic with shadow. Gallbladder contractility index ≥ 40% accounted for 95.7%. The average gallbladder contractility index was 64.2 ± 16.1%, this index in men was 64.6 ± 15.5%, and in women, it was 63.7 ± 16.9%. 95.7% of cases still had gallbladder contractile function. Conclusion: Ultrasound plays an important role and has many advantages in diagnosing gallstones and evaluating gallbladder function before percutaneous gallstone lithotripsy. 
 