Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and gallbladder diseases - A retrospective mono-center analysis of imaging findings with histopathological correlation
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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

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Published on: January 27, 2011
G Negrão de Figueiredo1, K Mueller-Peltzer1, P Zengel2
1Department of Radiology, Interdisciplinary Ultrasound-Center Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich - Grosshadern Campus, Munich, Germany.
Background:
Radiologic imaging, especially ultrasound has an important role in the assessment of gallbladder alteration. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an easy and fast imaging technique that overcomes the limitations of greyscale ultrasonography. It is a safe tool that can be used as an additional imaging modality in order to elucidate and differentiate gallbladder pathological findings.
Objective:
The aim of this retrospective study analysis is to assess the diagnostic performance of CEUS in gallbladder alterations and compare the results to the histopathological findings.
Methods:
A total of 17 patients between 2009 and 2017 with uncertain gallbladder appearance were retrospectively analysed. A single experienced physician with more than fifteen years' experience performed CEUS examinations by applying a second-generation blood pool agent (SonoVue®, Bracco, Milan, Italy). Archived images were interpreted by the same physician and compared to the histopathological findings.
Results:
CEUS results, when correlated to the respectively pathologic findings, presented a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. All patients were successfully examined without any adverse reaction.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the excellent results in this study acknowledged that CEUS is a feasible alternative tool to differentiate gallbladder pathologic alterations.
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