Imaging for jaundiced patient?
Summary: 
Abdominal pain with 1 of the following: fever, history of biliary surgery or known cholelithiasis = US abdomen (then CT ABD/PEL with contrast or MR Abdomen with contrast with MRCP)
Painless with 1 of the following: weight loss, fatigue, anorexia or symptoms greater than 3 months =  CT ABD/PEL with arterial and portal venous contrast, US abdomen or MR Abdomen with contrast with MRCP)

Clinical and lab exam makes obstruction unlikely = US abdomen (then MR Abdomen with contrast with MRCP, if needed) 

As always, please refer to the source Appropriateness Criteria created by the American College of Radiology, here.
Educational purposes for licensed providers.

Note to Patients:

Radiology is a very large and ever changing field and this post is to help your provider.  When combined with a thorough history and physical exam, this information can be very useful.  Your provider is best suited to answer specific questions regarding this post.

A provider is usually a Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant or Medical Doctor.

Of course, this is not a substitute for medical care.

More about Dr. Vachon – ORAinformatics.com

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