Primary gallbladder carcinoma: imaging findings in 50 patients with pathologic correlation

Different diagnostic imaging modalities [contrast cholangiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography (CT)] in a large group of patients with proven gallbladder carcinoma are reviewed. Noninvasive cross-sectional imaging methods strongly correlated with the different gross pathologic types of gallbladder carcinoma. The most common observed type was a mass replacing the gallbladder (39%). Other types observed either by sonography and/or CT were a focal/diffuse gallbladder wall thickening and the presence of an intraluminal polypoid mass. Despite the improvement in several imaging modalities, most of the preoperatively diagnosed gallbladder carcinomas were in advanced stage (84%). A combined approach using noninvasive diagnostic methods and percutaneous aspirative biopsies may reduce the number of explorative laparotomies in the final diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma.