Learning objectives
to enlist the varied morphologies of gallbladder carcinoma
to depict their radiological features
to emphasize the role of cross-sectional imaging in the detection of gallbladder carcinoma and its spread
Background
Gallbladder carcinoma is the most common type of biliary cancer,
but it is usually asymptomatic and discovered when it is already untreatable.
Its risk factors are female sex,
postmenopausal state,
cigarette smoking,
as well as different conditions,
such as cholelithiasis,
congenital and pathological aspects of the biliary tree and gallbladder.
Early-stage gallbladder cancer is usually diagnosed incidentally and relies on symptoms related to coexistent cholecystitis or cholelithiasis.
The majority of patients present with advanced disease and symptoms like chronic abdominal pain,
anorexia or weight loss.Jaundice...
Findings and procedure details
Imaging methods
If patients with gallbladder carcinoma present with abdominal distension or right upper quadrant pain,
abdominal plain film may be the first examination.
Gallstones or a porcelain bladder may be observed or in some cases,
calcified precipitated mucus within the neoplastic tissue.
If the tumor invades the adjacent bowel and fistulas are formed,
abnormal gas collections may be seen in the right upper quadrant or in the biliary tree.
[1,
7]
Sonography represents the first imaging technique used when a gallbladder disease is suspected,...
Conclusion
Carcinoma of the gallbladder is a highly aggressive malignancy,
found at a late stage in the majority of the cases.
Early radiologic findings are subtle,
therefore the role of imaging is very important,particularly in patients with risk factors.
Also,
it is extremely important to determine the exact spread in advanced cases.
Knowledge and recognition of the imaging appearances of gallbladder carcinoma on cross-sectional imaging techniques help optimize the further treatment strategy of the patient.
References
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MR imaging and CT of the biliary tract.
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Ferris JV,
Hosseinzadeh K,
Borhani AA.
Gallbladder Carcinoma Update: Multimodality Imaging Evaluation,
Staging and Treatment Options.
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4) Goel A.
Gallbladder carcinoma.
http://radiopaedia.org/articles/gallbladder-adenocarcinoma
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MRI of gallbladder carcinoma.Diagn Interv Radiol 2013; 19:312–319
5) Denshaw-Burke M,
Kennedy AS,
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