MRI of gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer, the most common of biliary tract cancer, is often diagnosed at an advanced stage with ensuing poor survival rates. Imaging may allow for earlier diagnosis, however there may be significant overlap with nonmalignant conditions of the gallbladder in early stages of cancer. In this pictorial essay, we use various examples to describe the utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and staging of gallbladder cancer, noting in particular the strengths and limitations of the imaging modality. The use of diffusion- weighted imaging as an adjunct technique for diagnosis is also discussed.