Sonographic sub-types of cholesterol gallstones among Indian patients : An initial experience

Objectives : To study the ultrasound morphology of cholesterol calculi in Indian patients. Material and Methods : Twenty-seven patients of solitary gall stones were subjected to ultrasound. The sonographic morphology was categorized into five patterns. Stones obtained at surgery were subjected to estimation of cholesterol content. Results : All the stones showed cholesterol content of more than 70 gm %, hence were labeled as cholesterol calculi. Five sonographic patterns were documented (full moon 25.9%, half moon 25.9%, crescent 22.2%, comet tail 11.1%, no distinct pattern 14.8%). Conclusion : Cholesterol gallstones exhibit a heterogeneous sonographic appearance and fall into five distinct sub-types. Classification of patients into these sub-types may have a bearing on management.