Ultrasound in Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis-Reply

In Reply.— I appreciate the opportunity to learn from Drs Crow and Bartrum about the use and potential value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. I note that the references given along with their letter include a presentation to the Radiologic Society of North America in December 1975 (the month my article was published) and two references not as yet published. After speaking with our radiologists, I find that we have also installed an ultrasound, Grey-scale unit at the Cleveland Clinic in the past six months, and have begun to assess its use in the diagnosis of cholecystitis. It does show the presence of the gallbladder, the size of the gallbladder, and the presence or absence of stones. It does not provide information on gallbladder function. We are, at present, evaluating its use in patients with acute cholecystitis. I appreciate this information from Drs Crow and Bartrum in