Evaluation of gallbladder and biliary duct disease using microbubble contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Ultrasound examination of the gallbladder is accepted as the primary imaging modality in the assessment of gallbladder disease, with inherent superiority in comparison to other imaging modalities. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is established as a reliable tool in the detection and characterisation of focal liver lesions. It is less well recognised in gallbladder and biliary disease but can be a valuable complement to baseline ultrasound examination. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound provides the advantages of real-time, repeatable, multiplanar imaging without compromising patient safety or exposing patients to radiation. It can provide specific information as pathology often becomes more conspicuous following the administration of contrast, allowing detailed assessment of benign and malignant conditions arising in the gallbladder and biliary tree. This review illustrates the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the evaluation of a variety of gallbladder and biliary duct diseases. The examination allows clearer delineation of the disease process and more confident diagnosis.