Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound in Detecting Gallbladder Stones: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background: Ultrasound is a widely used non-invasive diagnostic tool for detecting gallbladder stones, which are a common gastrointestinal condition. This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in identifying gallbladder stones compared to surgical and histopathological findings.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis involved 200 patients suspected of having gallbladder stones, based on clinical symptoms or risk factors. Ultrasound findings were compared to outcomes from subsequent surgical interventions and histopathological examinations to determine sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy. Data were analyzed to calculate the odds ratio (OR), confidence intervals (CI), and p-values for the accuracy of ultrasound.

Results: The study demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy with ultrasound detecting gallbladder stones in 160 out of 200 patients (true positives), with only one false negative result, resulting in an OR of 29.09 (95% CI: 3.39 to 249.73) and a statistically significant p-value (<0.001). Comparisons with surgical and histopathological reports showed an infinite odds ratio due to no false negatives, affirming ultrasound's high sensitivity. Factors influencing diagnostic accuracy included operator experience and patient demographics, though these had a non-significant impact on overall accuracy (OR: 2.94, 95% CI: 0.47 to 18.27, p-value: 0.241).

Conclusion: Ultrasound proves to be a highly effective and reliable tool for the detection of gallbladder stones. It offers a valuable diagnostic approach that aligns closely with more invasive diagnostic methods. Future studies should focus on standardizing ultrasound protocols and training to further enhance diagnostic accuracy across diverse clinical settings.