Objective assessment of the contribution of each diagnostic test and of the ordering sequence in jaundice caused by pancreatobiliary carcinoma.

Background: Computer-assisted diagnostic systems are not substantially more accurate than the clinician in the differential diagnosis of jaundice but may help in optimal selection and sequencing of tests. The present study aimed to assess with an electronic diagnostic tool the pattern of ordering tests and the diagnostic contribution and related financial cost of each test in jaundiced patients with pancreatobiliary carcinoma, in an effort to make the clinician's diagnostic behaviour more efficient and economical.

Methods: Clinical and diagnostic test data were prospectively gathered from 356 jaundiced patients with pancreatobiliary carcinoma and entered in a Bayesian diagnostic programme.

Ultrasonography versus roentgenography in suspected instances of cholecystolithiasis.

In a consecutive series of 102 patients with no jaundice and with symptoms of cholecystolithiasis, the predictions from both ultrasonography and cholecystography were compared with the final diagnosis. The accuracy of both examinations was high. However, in 38 per cent, single dose oral cholecystography failed to visualize the gallbladder whereas ultrasonography was conclusive in all patients.