[Differential diagnosis of gallbladder abnormalities : Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance...

Due to the high prevalence of clinically suspected cholecystitis or cholecystolithiasis the gallbladder is one of the organs examined the most by imaging.

In most clinical settings ultrasound is the primary imaging method because of its wide availability, speed and superior spatial resolution. In cases of ambiguous findings or potential complications computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used.

When specific problems arise these imaging modalities may be enhanced by special techniques, e. g. contrast-enhanced ultrasound or dual-energy CT, and specific MRI sequences.

Special variants of cholecystitis, such as xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and adenomyomatosis, may pose a particularly difficult diagnostic problem as they may resemble other diseases. Sequelae of cholecystolithiasis, such as the Mirizzi syndrome and acute bowel obstruction, may complicate the imaging algorithm as the location and the symptoms shift. Cases of neoplastic diseases of gallbladder cancer and other malignancies require a broad spectrum of imaging modalities.

Although the gallbladder can easily be examined with ultrasound, some cases require a more thorough ultrasound examination. In some cases only a combination of multiple imaging modalities yield the diagnosis. Further developments regarding technical issues and the diagnostic algorithm can be expected.

Ultrasound is the best first imaging modality. In cases of ambiguous findings or clinical complications CT or MRI are recommended.