Cholesonographic characteristics of cystic duct metastasis causing acute acalculous cholecystitis: case report

A variety of epithelial malignancies are capable of metastasizing to the bile ducts and gall bladder in a fashion distinct from concurrent spread to the liver. Ultrasonography has proved useful in evaluating obstructive jaundice in this setting and, in the case described, accurately diagnosed acute acalculous cholecystitis caused by a solitary metastasis from carcinoma of the breast to the cystic duct. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the accuracy of this preoperative diagnosis.