Learning objectives
Describe the infrequent differential diagnoses to consider in thickening of the gallbladder wall
Discuss imaging findings to diagnose diseases characterized by thickening of gallbladder wall
Background
Thickening of the gallbladder wall is a frequent finding at images.
The most common diagnosis is acute cholecystitis.
The images findings are non-specific and can be found in extracholecystic pathological conditions.
We describe and illustrate the infrequent causes of a thickened gallbladder wall like acquired gastrointestinal fistula,
AIDS cholangiopathy and gallbladder trauma.
Isolated traumatic gallbladder injuries are uncommon and difficult to diagnose.
Motor vehicle collision is the most common cause of gallbladder injury.
The delay in diagnosis causes a significant increase in the morbidity and...
Findings and procedure details
The radiologist need to know different findings in US,
CT and MR on the basis of the patterns and to evaluate the diagnostic value of images in infrequent diseases caracterized by thickening of the gallbladder wall.
MR findings of gallbladder wall thickening were evaluated in sequences for MR cholangiograph.
The layered pattern of thickened wall was classified into patterns.
MR findings of a layered pattern of thickened gallbladder were well correlated with clinics.
The diagnosis of gallbladder injury is made by detecting blood within the...
Conclusion
Gallbladder wall thickening can result from a broad spectrum of pathological conditions.
However there are a large amount of infrequent conditions that the radiologist needs to know to make an adequate diagnosis and improve the patients outcome.
References
Wittenberg A,
Minotti AJ.
CT Diagnosis of Traumatic Gallbladder Injury.
AJR 2005;185: 1573-74.
Chad G Ball,
Elijah Dixon.
A decade of experience with injuries to the gallbladder.
J Trauma Manag Outcomes.
2010 Apr 15;4:3.
Vermani N,
Kang M,
Khandelwal N,
Singh P,
Chawla YK.
MR cholangiopancreatographic demonstration of biliary tract abnormalities in AIDS cholangiopathy: report of two cases.
Clin Radiol.
2009 Mar;64(3):335-8.
Onofrio A.
Catalano,
MD • DushyantV.
Sahani,
MD • David G.
Forcione,
MD.
Biliary Infections: Spectrum of Imaging Findings and Management.
RadioGraphics 2009;...