Risk-stratified versus Non–Risk-stratified Diagnostic Testing for Management of Suspected Acute Biliary Obstruction: Comparative Effectiveness, Costs, and the Role of MR Cholangiopancreatography

Although patients older than 55 years of age are optimally evaluated by using American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines, younger adults with history of gallstone disease should routinely undergo MR cholangiopancreatography rather than risk-stratified diagnostic imaging because of improved detection of choledocholithiasis and alternative causes of biliary obstruction.