Conclusion

Bedside biliary ultrasound to evaluate for acute cholecystitis can be accurately performed by emergency physicians. Bedside ultrasound should always be used in the context of the clinical scenario.

References

1. American College of Emergency Physicians Policy Statement on Emergency Ultrasound Guidelines. October 2008.
2. Cooperberg PL, Gibney RG. Imaging of the gallbladder. Radiology 1987;163(3);605-13.
3. Kendall JL, Shimp RJ. Performance and interpretation of focused right upper quadrant ultrasound by emergency physicians. J. Emerg. Med. 2001;21(1):7-13.
4. Ralls PW, Colletti PM, Lapin SA, Chandrasoma P, Boswell WD Jr, Ngo C, Radin DR, Halls JM. Real-time sonography in suspected acute cholecystitis: Prospective evaluation of primary and secondary signs. Radiology 1985;155(3):767-71.
5. Ralls PW, Halls J, Stewart LA, Quinn, MF, Morris UK, Boswell W. Prospective evaluation of the sonographic Murphy’s sign in suspected acute cholecystitis. J. Clin. Ultrasound 2005;10(3):113-5.
6. Theodoro D. Hepatobiliary. In: Ma OJ, Mateer JR, and Blaivas M, eds. Emergency Ultrasound. McGraw-Hill, 2007, pp. 177-86.

Contributor Disclosures

Contributors

Dr. Blackstock and Dr. Wu are alumni of the emergency ultrasound fellowship program at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York. Dr. Lewiss is director of the emergency ultrasound division, Dr. Saul is the division’s fellowship director, and Dr. Bagley was previously the associate fellowship director for the division. Dr. Blackstock is now at Bellevue Hospital/New York University Medical Center, and Dr. Wu is now at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Medical editor Dr. Robert C. Solomon is an attending emergency physician at Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg, Pa., and clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Disclosures

In accordance with Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) standards and American College of Emergency Physicians policy, contributors and editors must disclose to the program audience the existence of significant financial interests in or relationships with manufacturers of commercial products that might have a direct interest in the subject matter. Dr. Blackstock, Dr. Wu, Dr. Lewiss, Dr. Saul, Dr. Bagley, and Dr. Solomon have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies that pertain to this educational activity. “Focus On: Bedside Biliary Ultrasound” has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the ACCME. ACEP is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. ACEP designates this educational activity for a maximum of one Category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he or she actually spent in the educational activity. “Focus On: Bedside Biliary Ultrasound” is approved by ACEP for one ACEP Category 1 credit.