Localized gallbladder carcinoma: sonographic findings

Our study of color (seven cases) and contrast (three cases) Doppler results of seven cases with gallbladder carcinoma localized in the gallbladder wall (TNM stage T1) showed that the presence or absence of blood flow signals distinguishes gallbladder carcinoma in stage T1b (muscular involvement) from tumefactive biliary sludge and that injection of contrast medium markedly increased diagnostic confidence. Thus, when color Doppler sonography is ambiguous, contrast-enhanced Doppler sonography is the next line of investigation. However, actual color Doppler sonography is still not fully capable of displaying fine blood flow signals from gallbladder carcinoma in stage T1a (mucosal involvement), and greater Doppler sensitivity is mandatory for this purpose.