[Ultrasonography in jaundice: signs and results in 199 cases (author's transl)].

Ultrasonic patterns of bile ducts dilatation were studied in 199 cases. In the most recent series of obstructive jaundices (50 cases) examined with a high resolution machine, the diagnosis of dilatation was made in 92% of cases, the diagnostic of level of obstruction in 92% of cases, and the diagnosis of cause of obstruction in 61% of cases (but in 22 out of 23 jaundices due to a pancreatic lesion: 95%). No false positive diagnosis was made in non obstructive jaundice. Improved technology had a definite impact on the quality of results.