Accuracy of ED Bedside Ultrasound for Identification of gallstones: retrospective analysis of 575 studies

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the ability of emergency department (ED) physicians to diagnose cholelithiasis with bedside ultrasound. METHODS: ED gallbladder ultrasounds recorded over 37 months were compared to radiology ultrasound interpretation. RESULTS: Of 1,690 ED gallbladder ultrasound scans performed during this period, radiology ultrasound was performed in 575/1690 (34%) cases. ED physician bedside interpretation was 88% sensitive [95% CI, 84–91] and 87% specific [95% CI, 82–91], while positive predictive value (PPV) was 91% [88–94%] and negative predictive value (NPV) was 83% [78–87%], using radiology interpretation as the criterion reference. CONCLUSION: ED physician ultrasound of the gallbladder for cholelithiasis is both sensitive and specific.