652 Quality of Ultrasound Report in Patients with Biliary Symptoms in the Context of Surgical Diseases

Abstract

Abstract Aim The diagnosis of surgical pathology in patients presenting with biliary symptoms is highly reliant on a good quality ultrasound report, our aim was to identify if there are any deficiencies in reports of ultrasound which are important diagnostic parameters of upper GI abnormalities. Method Patients presenting to Bedford hospital with biliary symptoms who require an ultrasound of biliary diseases were included, 8 parameters from the guidelines of Society and College of Radiographers were taken and analysed, means of missing data was calculated, CBD diameter was considered as a significant parameter. Quality of report for CBD was further scrutinized with patients who required 2nd investigations like MRCP and CTAP using crosstabs. Results A total of 278 patients were included in the study, 97.9% were due to gallstone diseases and 2.1% were for post-cholecystectomy. 89.7% had mentioned the normality of CBD while only 21.1% mentioned the actual value of CBD. 93% reports mentioned flow of portal vein, 7% did not mention portal vein flow. Interestingly 2.1% of ultrasounds were for post cholecystectomy but during scans, 4.6% of patients had absent gallbladder. 98 (34.5%) patients had one or more secondary investigations. 22.9% of normally reported CBD on ultrasound had positive CBD findings on MRCP. Conclusions This audit demonstrates the importance of a good quality ultrasound report. A good quality ultrasound can aid in clinical diagnosis and guidance of further investigations. Important factors to consider are the value of CBD Diameter, portal vein flow and quality of biliary stone/sludge.