OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of micro-flow imaging (MFI) in evaluating blood flow characteristics and differential diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data and ultrasound images of 73 patients with gallbladder polypoid lesions, including 24 patients with pathologically confirmed neoplastic polyps (n=24) and 49 with non-neoplastic polyps (n=49). All the patients underwent conventional ultrasound, MFI and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) before cholecystectomy. The blood flow characteristics of the lesions in color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) and MFI were compared, and the consistency of the findings by these two modalities with those of CEUS were evaluated by weighted Kappa consistency test. The diagnostic performance of MFI for gallbladder polypoid lesions was assessed. RESULTS: There were significant differences between MFI and CDFI in the evaluation of blood flow characteristics of gallbladder polypoid lesions (χ²=37.684, P < 0.001). MFI showed better performance than CDFI in displaying the blood flow characteristics of the polyps. The consistency in the findings was 0.118 between CDFI and CEUS and 0.816 between MFI and CEUS. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of MFI in distinguishing neoplastic polyps from non-neoplastic polyps were 75.00%, 93.88% and 87.67%, respectively. CONCLUSION MFI has a good consistency with CEUS in displaying the blood flow characteristics of gallbladder polypoid lesions and can accurately distinguish neoplastic polyps from non-neoplastic polyps, thus providing new ultrasound diagnostic evidence to support clinical decisions on optimal treatments of gallbladder polypoid lesions.
Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gallbladder Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Polyps/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To compare the performance of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)and ultrasound(US)in the differential diagnosis between cholesterol polyps and gallbladder adenomas. Methods A total of 136 patients with gallbladder polyp lesions(GPLs)and undergoing cholecystectomy in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients underwent US and CEUS examinations before cholecystectomy.US and CEUS images of cholesterol polyps and gallbladder adenomas were compared for the evaluation of the performance of CEUS in the diagnosis of gallbladder adenomas. Results The 136 cases of GPLs included 95 cases of cholesterol polyps and 41 cases of gallbladder adenomas.Cholesterol polyps and gallbladder adenomas showed significant differences in the maximum size of GPLs(
Adenoma/diagnostic imaging* ; Cholesterol ; Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gallbladder/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

Congenital cysts of the gallbladder are extremely rare, hence only a few ciliated foregut cysts of gallbladder have been reported. We report a case of a 20-year-old woman presenting with mild right upper quadrant abdominal discomfort, with normal levels of serum bilirubin and liver function tests. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a well-defined cystic mass measured about 2 cm attached to the neck of gallbladder, with internal echogenic debris suggesting a complicated cyst, such as a hemorrhagic cyst. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed similar findings. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy showed a slightly distended gallbladder. The size of cyst on the neck was 1.6x1.2 cm, and it contained mucosa lined by ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium and underlying smooth muscle layers. Histopathology identified a ciliated foregut cyst of gallbladder.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Cysts/diagnostic imaging/pathology/surgery ; Female ; Gallbladder/pathology/surgery ; Gallbladder Diseases/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult

Thickening of the gallbladder wall is a relatively frequent finding on diagnostic imaging. Such thickening is also a common but nonspecific finding in many patients with intrinsic gallbladder disease and extracholecystic conditions. Wall thickening may be diagnostically problematic, occurring (as it does) in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and in those with and without indications for cholecystectomy. An important first step is to distinguish between the diffuse and focal forms of thickening. Subsequently, identification of ancillary imaging findings and the directed use of additional imaging modalities allow accurate diagnosis. This is of clinical importance. Misinterpretation of the cause of thickening can trigger unnecessary cholecystectomies in patients without intrinsic gallbladder disease. Also, misdiagnosis of patients who do in fact require cholecystectomy may delay treatment, thus increasing morbidity. Although a definitive imaging diagnosis may not be possible, the cause of gallbladder wall thickening can be determined in most instances by correlating the clinical presentation with associated imaging findings.
Cholecystectomy ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Errors ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Gallbladder Diseases ; Gallbladder* ; Humans

We herein report the case of a 14-year-old girl with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infectious mononucleosis who developed prolonged hepatitis and jaundice. At presentation, she had tender hepatomegaly with a markedly deranged liver function test. Abdominal ultrasonography showed hepatomegaly and a thickened gallbladder wall. During the subsequent 11 weeks, her transaminases showed two further peaks, which corresponded with clinical deterioration. Her highest alanine transaminase level was 1,795 µ/L and total bilirubin level was 154 µmol/L. She recovered fully with conservative management. EBV-related liver involvement is typically mild and self-limiting. We believe that tender hepatomegaly and gallbladder thickening may be important predictors of significant liver involvement. Although multiple transaminase peaks may occur, we do not consider this an indication for antiviral or immunosuppressive therapy. In the absence of strong evidence supporting the use of any specific therapy, we recommend a conservative approach for an immunocompetent patient.
Adolescent ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Bilirubin ; blood ; China ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections ; complications ; Female ; Gallbladder ; pathology ; Hepatitis ; complications ; Hepatomegaly ; complications ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; therapeutic use ; Jaundice ; complications ; Liver ; diagnostic imaging ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase ; blood

This is a review of the diagnostic imaging techniques and findings of recurrent biliary cancer after surgical resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and gallbladder. Radiological examination plays an important role in diagnosing postoperative recurrence of biliary cancers. Early detection and diagnosis of recurrent cancer is critical in obtaining proper treatment and improves the prognosis. In the surveillance of recurrent biliary cancer, several diagnostic imaging modalities are currently used. Usually CT is the most common method for surveillance of postoperative patients, but MRI and PET/CT scans are also widely used. Recurrent biliary cancer can manifest as local recurrence, liver metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and peritoneal metastasis. Imaging findings of a locally recurrent tumor or metastatic lymph node enlargement overlaps with benign postoperative changes, thus radiologists commonly overlook subtle CT findings or misinterpret them as benign postoperative changes. There are several reports that FDG-PET scan is more effective in the diagnosis of recurrent biliary tract cancer than CT. Multidisciplinary diagnostic approaches using CT, MRI, and FDG-PET as well as clinical information seem to be essential for the precise diagnosis of recurrent tumors.
Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic ; Biliary Tract Neoplasms ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Gallbladder ; Humans ; Liver ; Lymph Nodes ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography ; Prognosis ; Recurrence

Hepatobiliary fibropolycystic diseases are a unique group of entities involving the liver and biliary tract, which are caused by abnormal embryologic development of the ductal plates at various stages. We experienced strange hepatobiliary fibropolycystic diseases with a complex mass composed of malformed ducts and biliary cysts, which did not belong to, and were different from, previously known malformations. They were unique in imaging and histologic features. We herein report three cases of monosegmental hepatobiliary fibropolycystic disease mimicking a mass.
Adult ; Bile Duct Diseases/*diagnosis ; Cysts/*diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging/methods ; Female ; Fibrosis/diagnosis ; Gallbladder Diseases/diagnosis ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/diagnosis ; Liver Diseases/*diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic performance of high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) with contrast-enhanced CT and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to differentiate between adenomyomatosis (ADM) and gallbladder cancer (GBCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with surgically proven ADM (n = 13) or GBCA at stage T2 or lower (n = 27) who previously underwent preoperative HRUS, contrast-enhanced CT, and contrast-enhanced MRI with MRCP were retrospectively included in this study. According to the well-known diagnostic criteria, two reviewers independently analyzed the images from each modality separately with a five-point confidence scale. The interobserver agreement was calculated using weighted kappa statistics. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated for each modality when scores of 1 or 2 indicated ADM. RESULTS: The interobserver agreement between the two reviewers was good to excellent. The mean Az values for HRUS, multidetector CT (MDCT), and MRI were 0.959, 0.898, and 0.935, respectively, without any statistically significant differences between any of the modalities (p > 0.05). The mean sensitivity of MRI with MRCP (80.8%) was significantly higher than that of MDCT (50.0%) (p = 0.0215). However, the mean sensitivity of MRI with MRCP (80.8%) was not significantly different from that of HRUS (73.1%) (p > 0.05). The mean specificities and accuracies among the three modalities were not significantly different (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: High-resolution ultrasound and MRI with MRCP have comparable sensitivity and accuracy and MDCT has the lowest sensitivity and accuracy for the differentiation of ADM and GBCA.
Adenomyoma/*diagnosis ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance/methods ; Contrast Media/diagnostic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Imaging/*methods ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Observer Variation ; ROC Curve ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods ; Ultrasonography/methods

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies have assessed the prognostic value of the primary tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) measured by 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose PET-CT for patients with bile duct and gallbladder cancer. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 61 patients with confirmed bile duct and gallbladder cancer who underwent FDG PET-CT in Kangbuk Samsung Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from April 2008 to April 2011. Prognostic significance of SUVmax and other clinicopathological variables was assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were diagnosed as common bile duct cancer, 17 as hilar bile duct cancer, 12 as intrahepatic bile duct cancer, and nine as gallbladder cancer. In univariate analysis, diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, mass forming type, poorly differentiated cell type, nonsurgical treatment, advanced American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging and primary tumor SUVmax were significant predictors of poor overall survival. In multivariate analysis adjusted for age and sex, primary tumor SUVmax (hazard ratio [HR], 4.526; 95% CI, 1.813-11.299), advanced AJCC staging (HR, 4.843; 95% CI, 1.760-13.328), and nonsurgical treatment (HR, 6.029; 95% CI, 1.989-18.271) were independently associated with poor overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Primary tumor SUVmax measured by FDG PET-CT is an independent and significant prognostic factor for overall survival in bile duct and gallbladder cancer.
Aged ; Bile Duct Neoplasms/*diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Cholangiocarcinoma/diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18/diagnostic use/metabolism/standards ; Gallbladder Neoplasms/*diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/mortality/radionuclide imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Positron-Emission Tomography/standards ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Radiopharmaceuticals/diagnostic use/metabolism/standards ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/standards

The biliary tract is an unusual site of metastasis from breast carcinoma, and this has rarely been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 42-year-old woman diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for an incidental finding of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography, which was subsequently confirmed to be consistent with metastasis from the breast primary.
Adult ; Biliary Tract ; physiopathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Lobular ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; methods ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Gallbladder Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; secondary ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Treatment Outcome ; Ultrasonography