Sonography of the gallbladder: significance of striated (layered) thickening of the gallbladder wall

Sonographic identification of thickening of the gallbladder wall that consists of multiple striations (alternate hypoechoic and hyperechoic layers) has been considered strong evidence of the presence of acute cholecystitis. We studied 27 patients in whom sonograms showed striated thickening of the gallbladder wall to determine the diagnostic significance of this finding. Striations were classified as focal or diffuse. Sonograms were correlated with pathologic findings in 16 patients and with clinical diagnoses and laboratory findings in 11. Patients were categorized as having cholecystitis with or without gangrene or edema of the gallbladder wall unrelated to gallbladder disease. Striated thickening of the gallbladder wall was due to cholecystitis in 10 patients, and all 10 had gangrenous changes at surgery or at pathologic examination. Striations were focal in eight of these patients and diffuse in two. Striated thickening of the gallbladder wall was due to edema of the wall unrelated to gallbladder disease in 17 patients. Causes included congestive heart failure (n = 4), renal failure (n = 5), liver disease (hepatic failure [n = 1], hepatitis [n = 6]), ascites (n = 2), hypoalbuminemia (n = 3), pancreatitis (n = 1), blockage of the lymphatic/venous drainage of the gallbladder (n = 2), and prominent Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses (n = 1). More than one abnormality was present in five patients. Striations were focal in 11 of these patients and diffuse in six. The sonographic finding of striated gallbladder wall thickening is no more specific for cholecystitis than the observation of gallbladder wall thickening by itself, and it may occur in a variety of diseases. However, in the clinical setting of acute cholecystitis, the presence of striations suggests gangrenous changes in the gallbladder. The extent of the striations (focal or diffuse) is not useful in predicting the cause of the striated gallbladder wall thickening.     

Gallbladder wall sonolucency in acute cholecystitis.

The usual ultrasound findings in acute cholecystitis include diffuse hyperreflective wall thickening, hazy wall delineation and gallbladder distension. In 11 patients with acute cholecystitis, an additional sign was seen consisting of a hyporeflective or sonolucent layer, continuous or interrupted, within the hyperreflective, thickened gallbladder wall. Anatomic-pathologic correlation, comparative CT scans and clinical follow-up studies showed subserosal edema and necrosis to be the most probable cause of this finding.     

CT findings in acute gangrenous cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the CT findings in acute gangrenous cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four observers retrospectively reviewed CT scans in 75 patients (23 with acute gangrenous cholecystitis, 25 with acute non-gangrenous cholecystitis, and 27 without cholecystitis). The following findings were evaluated: distention, mural thickening, wall enhancement, irregular wall, wall striation, intraluminal membranes, pericholecystic inflammation, gallstones, pericholecystic fluid, enhancement of liver parenchyma, pericholecystic abscess, and gas in the wall or lumen. Sensitivity and specificity of CT for gangrenous cholecystitis and for each finding were calculated. Two reviewers in consensus measured gallbladder dimension and wall thickness. Logistic regression models were used to predict gangrenous versus non-gangrenous cholecystitis. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of CT for acute cholecystitis were 91.7%, 99.1%, and 94.3%, respectively, and for acute gangrenous cholecystitis were 29.3%, 96.0%, and 64.1%, respectively. Findings with the highest specificity for gangrenous cholecystitis were gas in the wall or lumen (100%), intraluminal membranes (99.5%), irregular or absent wall (97.6%), and abscess (96.6%). The difference between the mean gallbladder wall thickness and the short-axis dimension for the two groups with cholecystitis was statistically significant. In three patients with gangrenous cholecystitis, no mural enhancement was seen. Pericholecystic fluid also achieved statistical significance for the diagnosis of gangrene. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the overall accuracy of CT for gangrenous cholecystitis was 86.7%. CONCLUSION: CT findings most specific for acute gangrenous cholecystitis are gas in the wall or lumen, intraluminal membranes, irregular wall, and pericholecystic abscess. Gangrenous cholecystitis is associated with a lack of mural enhancement, pericholecystic fluid, and a greater degree of gallbladder distention and wall thickening.     

Power Doppler ultrasound of gallbladder wall vascularization in inflammation: clinical implications

We investigated the role of Power Doppler US in the diagnosis and follow-up of cholecystitis. We reviewed the examinations of 21 surgical patients aged 27–48 years with US findings of cholecystitis. We performed B-mode and then Power Doppler US. Wall thickness and US structure, the presence/absence of stones, and US Murphy's sign were assessed at B-mode US, whereas only the presence/absence of wall vascularization was studied with Power Doppler. B-mode and Power Doppler changes post treatment were also investigated. Ultrasound showed wall thickening in all patients. In addition, positive Murphy's sign and/or gallbladder stones were seen in 6 patients each at B-mode US and wall vascularization in 7 patients with Power Doppler. Acute cholecystitis was diagnosed in these patients. The other 14 patients presenting wall thickening but no vascularization and negative US Murphy's sign were diagnosed as having chronic cholecystitis; 10 of them had gallbladder stones. Two of seven acute cholecystitis patients were operated on in the acute stage for the onset of complications and histologic findings confirmed the US diagnosis. As for the remaining patients, histology diagnosed chronic cholecystitis in 17, whereas wall thickening was not inflammatory in 2 cases. All the cases with early wall vascularization were eventually diagnosed as cholecystitis. Power Doppler US permits confirmation of the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and distinguishing of chronic disease, which helps in planning of surgery. Received: 30 April 1999; Revised: 26 November 1999; Accepted: 27 January 2000     

Sonography of thickened gallbladder wall: causes in children

A review of 793 consecutive abdominal sonograms in children aged 1 day to 16 years disclosed 453 patients in whom the gallbladder was clearly visible on at least two perpendicular views. Twenty had a gallbladder wall more than 3 mm thick. The following diseases were associated with gallbladder wall thickening; hypoalbuminemia (13 cases), ascites (five, three with concomitant hypoalbuminemia), physiologic thickening because of partial wall contraction (one), and systemic venous hypertension (one). None of 26 patients with gallstones and one of 14 with sludge had a thickened gallbladder. (The latter patient had concomitant hypoalbuminemia). Five patients with surgically proven acute cholecystitis during this same interval of time had sonograms. In four, the gallbladder wall was of normal thickness. In the fifth patient, the gallbladder wall could not be visualized because of densely shadowing stones. In this population, thickening of the gallbladder wall was not associated with acute cholecystitis and thus was not an indication for cholecystectomy.     

Ultrasound changes of the gallbladder wall in cholecystitis: a sonographic-pathological correlation

To assess the pathological basis of the changes seen on ultrasound examination of the gallbladder wall in cholecystitis, the appearances of the gallbladder wall were analysed in 17 patients with acute cholecystitis and 27 patients with chronic cholecystitis, and correlated with the pathological specimens removed at surgery. A thin echo reduced layer within the echogenic gallbladder wall corresponds to a complex of subserosal oedema, haemorrhage and inflammatory cell infiltration, or to muscular hypertrophy. Indistinctness or a low echogenicity rind along the inner margin represents mucosal sloughing or obliteration of the mucosal folds. Uniformly decreased echogenicity of the wall is caused by severe inflammatory change with sloughing of the mucosa or obliteration of the mucosal folds. These ultrasound signs are considered to be valuable signs of cholecystitis.     

An unusual thickening of the gallbladder wall in cholecystitis

This is a report on a massive thickening of the gallbladder wall accompanying an acute cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. The sonographic criteria for the diagnosis of cholecystitis are discussed. It is pointed out that a thickening of the gallbladder wall is not a specific sign for cholecystitis.     

Sonography of adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Sonograms of six patients with adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder were reviewed and correlated with oral cholecystographic and pathologic findings. The gallbladder was visualized in four of the six patients by oral cholecystography, which also revealed intramural diverticula. Five of the six patients showed sonographic evidence of diffuse or segmental thickening of the gallbladder wall and intramural diverticula, seen as anechoic or echogenic foci within the wall. Intramural diverticula containing bile appeared as anechoic spaces; those containing biliary sludge or gallstones appeared as echogenic foci with or without acoustic shadows or reverberation artifacts. There was good correlation between sonographic and pathologic findings in three patients. The authors conclude that adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder should be suspected when (a) there is diffuse or segmental thickening of the gallbladder wall and (b) intramural diverticula are seen as anechoic or echogenic foci with or without associated acoustic shadows or reverberation artifacts.     

Computed tomography in acute cholecystitis

It has been our experience that acute cholecystitis can frequently be diagnosed on the basis of computed tomography (CT) alone, without the need for further confirmatory studies. This capability has not been emphasized in the radiologic or surgical literature.Retrospective review of CT scans performed in patients with the initial diagnosis of acute abdomen or sepsis due to abdominal source yielded 29 patients in whom a retrospective CT diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made when all three of the following findings were present: gallbladder wall thickening (>3 mm), gallbladder distention, and pericholecystic abnormality (either fluid or abnormal fat).Pathologic or surgical follow-up was available in 22 of 29 patients. In 20 of 22 (91%) patients who underwent surgery, there was a pathologic or surgical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. There were two falsepositive diagnoses: one patient with chronic cholecystitis and one patient with adenocarcinoma of the neck of the gallbladder.A confident diagnosis of acute cholecystitis can be made on CT scan in the appropriate clinical setting when all three of these criteria are met: gallbladder distention, gallbladder wall thickening, and pericholecystic abnormality. If one of these criteria is not met or is equivocal, biliary scintigraphy or ultrasonography may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.     

Personal experience in 71 consecutive patients with acute cholecystitis

PURPOSE: Acute cholecystitis is one of the most frequent abdominal inflammatory processes. If untreated or misdiagnosed it can result in severe complications such as gallbladder rupture, abscesses, or peritonitis. We retrospectively reviewed a series of 71 consecutive patients with surgical confirmation of acute cholecystitis and now compare the results of the diagnostic techniques we used preoperatively. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over 16 months, 71 consecutive patients (42 women and 29 men; age range: 34-84 years, mean: 58) with acute abdominal pain were operated on for acute cholecystitis at Cardarelli Hospital, Naples. Abdominal plain film was performed in 65 of 71 cases, abdominal US in 69 and abdominal CT in 6. On abdominal plain films, we retrospectively searched the following signs: densities projected over the gallbladder, linear calcifications in gallbladder walls, gallbladder enlargement, focal gas collections within the gallbladder, and air-fluid levels in the gallbladder lumen. On US images we looked for: gallbladder wall thickening (> 3 mm), intraluminal content in the gallbladder, pericholecystic fluid, US Murphy's sign, and gallbladder distension. On CT images, we investigated: gallbladder distension, wall thickening, intraluminal content, pericholecystic fluid, and inflammatory changes in pericholecystic fat. Associated complications of cholecystitis were also searched on all images. RESULTS: On plain abdominal films we found densities projected over the gallbladder (16.9%) and linear calcifications in the gallbladder wall (4.6%). Abdominal US demonstrated gallbladder wall thickening (56.5%), one or more gallstone(s) (85.5%), pericholecystic fluid (14.5%), gallbladder distension (46.4%), and US Murphy's sign (39.1%). Abdominal CT showed gallbladder wall thickening (83.3%), gallbladder distension (66.6%), pericholecystic fluid (66.6%), gallstones (50%), inflammatory changes in pericholecystic fat (33.3%), and increased bile density (> 20 HU) (33.3%). CONCLUSIONS: US appears to be the most useful imaging technique in patients with suspected acute cholecystitis, for both screening and final diagnosis. CT plays a limited role in the early assessment of these patients, but can be a useful tool in diagnosing acute cholecystitis in patients with questionable physical findings or in investigating related complications.     

Acute cholecystitis: sonographic-pathologic analysis

The study was performed to assess the pathogenic basis of sonographically demonstrable changes in the gallbladder wall in acute cholecystitis in an attempt to predict the degree of inflammation and to define a set of sonographic criteria for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Sonograms in a control group of 30 patients (group A) without biliary tract symptoms, ascites, or cholelithiasis and 24 patients (group B) with proven diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were reviewed. The histologic sections of the gallbladder wall in the cholecystitis patients were correlated with sonographic findings. None of the gallbladders showed perforation at the time of pathologic evaluation. Data failed to show a correlation between the pathologic severity of the inflammatory process in the gallbladder wall and the degree of sonographic wall thickening and wall anechoicity. Of patients with acute cholecystitis, 70% met all of the following sonographic criteria: (1) gallbladder wallthickening of 5 mm or greater, (2) gallbladder wall anechoicity, (3) gallbladder distension, as determined by an external anteroposterior width of 4 cm or greater, and (4) cholelithiasis.     

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis: clinical, sonographic, and CT findings in 26 patients

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the sonographic and CT features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, correlating the pathologic and surgical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis was pathologically diagnosed in 26 patients from January 1996 to August 1998. The patients were 15 women and 11 men with a mean age of 63 years. All patients had preoperative sonography and nine also underwent CT In five patients, sonography was performed on the surgical specimen. Clinical indications for imaging included cholecystitis (14 patients), biliary colic (six patients), stone-induced pancreatitis (three patients), tumor (two patients), and gallstone ileus (one patient). RESULTS: The most characteristic sonographic finding, confirmed by sonographic study of the surgical specimens, was the presence of hypoechoic nodules or bands in the gallbladder wall, which were seen in 35% of the patients. Cholelithiasis and a thickened gallbladder wall were frequent findings. The most characteristic (specific) CT finding was a hypodense band in the gallbladder wall, seen in 33% of the patients. Two of twelve patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy required conversion to open surgery. CONCLUSION: Although the preoperative imaging diagnosis of xanthoganulomatous cholecystitis is difficult, the presence of hypoechoic nodules or bands in the gallbladder wall on sonography or of a hypodense band around the gallbladder on CT, is highly suggestive of this disease.     

黄色肉芽肿性胆囊炎32例临床病理分析

目的探讨黄色肉芽肿性胆囊炎(XGC)临床病理特点。方法对1 426例腹腔镜切除胆囊标本中,经病理确诊的32例XGC结合文献做回顾性分析。结果32例XGC临床表现缺乏特异性。大体观察胆囊壁不同程度增厚,切面常见淡黄色大小不等的结节或斑块,有的有蒂呈息肉样隆起。镜下见胆囊壁的正常结构受到破坏,代之以特征性黄色肉芽肿性结构,由大量泡沫样细胞、急慢性炎细胞、成纤维细胞、异物巨细胞及Touton细胞等组成。结论XGC是一种良性而有破坏性的特殊类型胆囊炎,临床诊断困难,确诊有赖于病理诊断。     

Prognostic value and pathophysiologic significance of the rim sign in cholescintigraphy

This study reviews 27 patients with nonvisualization of the gallbladder on cholescintigraphy. The preoperative diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was confirmed pathologically in 23. A rim of increased hepatic activity (RIHA) adjacent to the gallbladder fossa was seen throughout the study in 35% with acute cholecystitis and in no patients with chronic cholecystitis. Nine patients with "complicated" cholecystitis (defined pathologically as a late stage of the spectrum of acute cholecystitis) had a positive RIHA in contrast to no patients with "noncomplicated acute cholecystitis" (p less than 0.05). The sensitivity/specificity of the RIHA for "complicated" acute cholecystitis was 45%/100% and the positive/negative predictive value was 100%/39%. Liver tissue that was attached to the gallbladder by adhesions and removed at surgery was reviewed histologically and correlated with the presence or absence of a RIHA. The RIHA seems to be a useful indicator of patients presenting at a later stage of the pathologic spectrum of acute cholecystitis and perhaps at increased risk for complications.     

Computed tomography of complicated cholecystitis

Reported are 10 patients with surgically verified acute cholecystitis and its complications. Of these 10 patients, 6 (60%) had atypical clinical presentation so that cholecystitis was not the primary diagnosis being considered before computed tomography. Common computed tomography findings included gallbladder wall thickening (100%), pericholecystic fluid (80%), gallstones (50%), and air in the gallbladder lumen and wall (20%). An awareness of the computed tomography appearances can be helpful in the diagnosis of complicated cholecystitis even when the clinical presentation is atypical.     

Computed tomography in acute cholecystitis: new observations

The computed tomographic CT findings in five patients with acute cholecystitis were analyzed. Common findings included thickening and nodularity of the gallbladder wall, cholelithiasis, and dilatation of the gallbladder lumen. Other more specific findings included poor definition of the gallbladder wall, pericholecystic fluid collections, and gas collections within the gallbladder wall. Most of the CT findings are suggestive but not pathognomonic, and correlation with the clinical, scintigraphic, and sonographic findings is necessary.     

Gangrenous cholecystitis: diagnosis by ultrasound

Sonographic findings were analyzed in 19 patients with surgically proved gangrenous cholecystitis. In 8 patients (42%), there were no specific features that would allow differentiation from typical uncomplicated acute cholecystitis. However, in 11 patients (58%) atypical findings were present, including intraluminal membranes and/or marked irregularities of the gallbladder wall. These features are unusual in uncomplicated acute cholecystitis and should prompt close clinical observation for possible gangrenous cholecystitis.     

Enlargement of the lymph nodes of the hilus hepatis: a further ultrasonographic sign of acute viral hepatitis

Enlarged hilar lymph nodes are usually reported as the most frequent US finding in acute viral hepatitis. The authors compared this finding with other pathologic conditions--i.e., asymptomatic cholelithiasis and acute cholecystitis--and with gallbladder wall thickening, which is also observed in acute hepatitis. From their results, they drew the following conclusions: a) lymph node enlargement at the hepatic hilum was a very frequent finding (11/15) at US in the patients with acute viral hepatitis; b) its occurrence was statistically more frequent than in both cholelithiasis and cholecystitis; c) gallbladder wall thickening was found in 53.3% of the patients with acute hepatitis; d) lymph node enlargement and gallbladder wall thickening were not related. The authors suppose enlarged lymph nodes to be suggestive of hepatic damage in a pattern of immunological hyperactivity rather than the result of inflammatory gallbladder conditions during acute hepatitis. Since only 2 cases could be followed, the authors cannot discuss the prognostic significance of enlarged lymph nodes after cytolytic enzymatic signs of viral hepatitis have disappeared.     

CT and MR features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis: An analysis of consecutive 49 cases

Objective

To study the CT and MR features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC).

Materials and methods

49 patients had pathologically confirmed XGC. All patients underwent contrast enhanced CT, and 10 patients had additional plain MRI. The CT and MRI results were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

On CT, all patients had thickening of gallbladder wall, with 87.8% cases showed diffuse thickening. 85.7% cases had intramural hypo-attenuated nodules in the thickened wall. Continuous mucosal line and luminal surface enhancement were noted in 79.6% and 85.7% cases, respectively. Gallbladder stones were seen in 69.4% patients. The coexistence of the above 5 CT features was seen in 40% cases, and 80% cases had the coexistence of ≥4 features. Diffused gallbladder wall thickening in XGC is more likely to have disrupted mucosal line, and XGC with disrupted mucosal line is more likely to be associated with liver infiltration. In 60% patients the inflammatory process extended beyond gallbladder, with the interface between gallbladder and liver and/or the surrounding fat blurred. 40% cases had an early enhancement of liver parenchyma. Infiltration to other surrounding tissues included bowel (n = 3), stomach (n = 2), and abdominal wall (n = 1). On MR images, 7 of 9 intramural nodules in 7 subjects with T1-weighted dual echo MR images showed higher signal intensity on in-phase images than out-of-phase images.

Conclusion

Coexisting of diffuse gallbladder wall thickening, hypo-attenuated intramural nodules, continuous mucosal line, luminal surface enhancement, and gallbladder stone highly suggest XGC. XGC frequently infiltrate liver and surrounding fat. Chemical-shift MRI helps classifying intramural nodules in the gallbladder wall.     

Ultrasonography in acute gallbladder perforation

The files of patients with acute cholecystitis from two large university hospitals from the years 1978-1985 were employed to find the cases with acute gallbladder perforation for this study. Only those patients (n = 9) were selected for the analysis of sonographic signs of acute gallbladder perforation who had less than 48 hours of symptoms before sonography, and were operated upon within 24 hours of the sonography. Patients (n = 10) with non-complicated acute cholecystitis and identical in regard to the duration of the symptoms and the timing of the sonography and the operation formed a control group. The sonographic findings in patients with gallbladder perforation were pericholecystic fluid collections, free peritoneal fluid, disappearance of the gallbladder wall echoes, focal highly echogenic areas with acoustic shadows in the gallbladder, and an inhomogeneous, generally echo-poor gallbladder wall.