MR imaging of the gallbladder

T2-weighted imaging and MRCP, which have high sensitivity to edema and fluid, are paramount in the evaluation of certain gallbladder diseases, such as cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, adenomyomatosis, and cystic duct abnormalities. Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MR imaging has the potential to differentiate among the many nonspecific-appearing lesions involving the gallbladder. MR imaging may not yet replace ultrasound as the workhorse of acute gallbladder imaging. Currently, MRCP is an ideal complementary study to inconclusive sonographic studies and can help plan surgical intervention in the setting of acute cholecystitis. Further investigation of hepatobiliary contrast agents, however, may reveal that MR imaging may be considered as first-line imaging in the acute setting.     

Abdominal ultrasound in patients with acute right upper quadrant pain

Ultrasonography was performed as the first imaging procedure in 100 patients who presented with acute right upper quadrant pain suggestive of cholecystitis or cholelithiasis. In the final analysis 46 patients were found to have gallbladder disease (40 patients with cholelithiasis, 5 with acalculous cholecystitis, and 1 with a cholesterol polyp in the gallbladder). In 22 of 54 patients with a normal gallbladder, other abdominal disease was found. The error rate for ultrasound was 5%, and in 4 patients ultrasound was not the suitable procedure for the diagnosis. In 91 patients the ultrasonographic diagnosis was correct.     

Gallbladder disorders: A comprehensive review

Gallbladder disorders encompass a wide breadth of diseases that vary in severity. We present a comprehensive review of literature for the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnostic evaluation, and management of cholelithiasis-related disease, acute acalculous cholecystitis, functional gallbladder disorder, gallbladder polyps, gallbladder hydrops, porcelain gallbladder, and gallbladder cancer.     

Diagnosis of gallbladder perforation in acute acalculous cholecystitis in critically ill patients

In the presence of ascites ultrasound is not appropriate to distinguish between gallbladder perforation and acute acalculous cholecystitis. However, the correct and early diagnosis of gallbladder perforation is important for the treatment and prognosis. We report 4 critically ill patients with ascites. All patients had evidence of gallbladder perforation by ultrasound and underwent cholecystectomy: 2 patients had gallbladder perforation, but 2 had acalculous cholecystitis without perforation. markedly elevated serum alkaline phosphatase was the only discriminating finding indicating gallbladder perforation.     

Staphylococcal acalculous cholecystitis in a child

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. It usually occurs in critically ill patients and is rare in the pediatric age group. We describe a 12-year-old boy who presented with fever, jaundice, and abdominal pain and was found to have acute acalculous cholecystitis, sacroiliitis, and pelvic osteomyelitis associated with bacteremia as a result of Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiotic therapy without surgical intervention was effective. A high index of suspicion is required to make an early diagnosis and institute appropriate treatment for children with this condition. Although cholecystectomy has been considered the standard therapy, medical treatment alone can be successful.     

Cholecystitis occurring without stones

A case of acalculous cholecystitis in a 65-year-old man with underlying diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and peripheral arteriosclerosis is presented here. His case remained diagnostically puzzling for some time until symptoms and signs became more severe and very suggestive of acute cholecystitis. The clinical impression was then supported by an abnormal radioisotope biliary scan. The scan has fairly good sensitivity in detecting this condition but may not be totally dependable. Acalculous cholecystitis is an unusual but serious variant of a common disorder in which treatable gallbladder disease may masquerade as a less treatable liver malady. A common denominator among this disorder's many etiologies may be impairment of the gallbladder microcirculation in the presence of one or more conditions that lower the gallbladder's resistance to bacterial invasion. Prompt detection and treatment are desirable to reduce morbidity and mortality. However, early diagnosis is not always possible, because the clinical picture often is unclear, clear, gallstones are absent, and laboratory test results may be normal or equivocal. As in the case reported here, the vague clinical picture may dictate following a patient until the illness reaches an intensity acute enough to permit identification. The greatest aid to earlier diagnosis for the physician faced with circumstances similar to those described here is to think of cholecystitis and then to give strong weight to that clinical suspicion. At times, a recommendation for cholecystectomy may have to be made mainly on clinical judgment.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术治疗老年急性结石性胆囊炎的体会

目的:评价腹腔镜胆囊切除术(Laparoscopic cholecystectomy,简称LC)治疗老年急性结石性胆囊炎的效果。方法:2006年～2008年对我院56例老年急性结石性胆囊炎患者行腹腔镜胆囊切除术,术后对其疗效进行评价。结果:对56例66岁～91岁、发病时间在48小时内的老年性急性结石性胆囊炎患者行腹腔镜胆囊切除术,术后随访3月以上,均恢复良好,未发生不良反应。结论:老年结石性胆囊炎急性发作,发病在48小时内如及时就诊,合理治疗合并症,老年人均可耐受LC,手术成功的关键在于术前准备充分,治疗合理、及时,术中操作仔细、认真,术后严密观察病情,积极对症治疗合并症、处理并发症,均可取得良好的效果。     

Limited abdominal MRI in the evaluation of acute right upper quadrant pain

Background: We investigated whether limited abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is as effective as transabdominal ultrasound (US) in evaluating patients presenting with acute right upper quadrant pain.Methods: Twenty-four patients underwent evaluation with a limited abdominal MRI using single-shot fast spin-echo sequences and a right upper quadrant US within 24 h. Two MRI and two US readers independently evaluated the images for gallstones, gallbladder wall thickness, pericholecystic fluid, acute cholecystitis, visualization of the common bile duct, and requests for further imaging. US and MRI findings were compared. Surgical pathology was the gold standard.Results: MRI and US demonstrated no statistically significant difference in the diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening, the presence of gallstones or pericholecystic fluid, or the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis (p > 0.05). The sensitivity of both for acute cholecystitis was 50%, with specificities of 89% and 86% for US and MRI, respectively. US readers more frequently requested additional tests and displayed more variability in whether they could adequately see the common bile duct.Conclusion: Limited MRI is equivalent to US in diagnosing gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and acute cholecystitis in patients presenting with symptoms of acute right upper quadrant pain. Especially in sonographically challenging patients, limited MRI may provide a faster, easier method of diagnosis.     

Computed tomography as an adjunct to ultrasound in the diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis

The sonographic and computed tomographic (CT) findings were reviewed in 17 patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) over a 6-year period from 1984 to 1989. Of the six patients in whom both ultrasound and CT were performed, CT revealed marked gallbladder (GB) wall abnormalities, including perforation, and pericholecystic fluid collections in five patients not demonstrated by sonography. Of the total group, five patients had GB wall thicknesses of 3 mm (normal) at pathologic examination, which demonstrated a spectrum of disease ranging from acute hemorrhagic/necrotizing, to gangrenous acalculous cholecystitis with perforation. Sonography was falsely negative or significantly underestimated the severity of AAC in seven of the 13 patients examined by sonography. CT because of its superior ability to assess pericholecystic inflammation may provide additional diagnostic information even after a thorough sonographic study in cases of AAC.     

超声在老年急性非结石性胆囊炎诊断中的应用

目的 探讨超声在老年急性非结石性胆囊炎诊断中的价值。 方法回顾性总结和分析29例老年人急性非结石性胆囊炎。结果超声对急性非结石性胆囊炎的显示率和诊断符合率均为100％。急性非结石性胆囊炎的胆囊长径、宽径明显大于对照组(P<0.01),其胆囊壁较对照组增厚(P<0.01)。 结论 超声对急性非结石性胆囊炎具有重要的诊断价值。     

Acute acalculous cholecystitis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis occurs infrequently, but the incidence seems to be increasing. Its attendant high associated morbidity and mortality dictate prompt diagnosis. Diagnosing this condition is often difficult because of the patient's debilitated medical condition and the limitations of biliary imaging techniques. During a 5-year study period (1981 through 1986), 20 patients underwent assessment and treatment for acute acalculous cholecystitis at our institution. This observation suggests an increase in incidence in comparison with a previously reported review of 28 such patients during a 16-year period at our institution. Initial treatment consisted of cholecystectomy in 18 patients, and percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy was successfully used in the other 2 patients. The postoperative mortality and morbidity for these 20 patients were 30% and 55%, respectively. Percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy should be explored further as a treatment option for acute acalculous cholecystitis.     

Ultrasound in postoperative acalculous cholecystitis

Eleven patients were examined by ultrasound before undergoing cholecystectomy (n=9) or cholecystostomy (n=2) for acalculous cholecystitis after abdominal surgery. The ultrasound images were analyzed retrospectively and compared with the surgical and histologic findings. The results indicate several established ultrasound criteria of cholecystitis to be less reliable than usual. Although 10 of 11 patients were on parenteral hyperalimentation, gross distention of the gallbladder was observed in only 3. In 4 of 7 patients, in whom pericholecystic fluid was observed, no gallbladder perforation was found at surgery. However, thickening of the gallbladder wall was displayed in 10 of 11 cases, combined with a sonolucent intramural layer in 6. Furthermore, intraluminal nonshadowing echogenic densities correlated with empyema or hemorrhage in 5 of 8 cases. In conclusion, despite several limitations, ultrasound can be of considerable help when one is deciding to perform repeat laparotomy when acalculous cholecystitis is suspected.     

Application of trocar technique in ultrasound-guided drainage of the gallbladder.

OBJECTIVE: The ultrasound-guided drainage of the gallbladder (USDGB) is mainly performed by Seldinger technique. We aim to evaluate the use of the easier performable trocar technique in draining critically ill patients with acute calculous or acalculous cholecystitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Critically ill patients with acute acalculous (AAC; n=29) or calculous cholecystitis (ACC; n=7) underwent trocar technique application of USD. Technical problems, complications and patients' further courses were recorded. RESULTS: In group 1 (AAC) 29/29 patients could be drained without problems or complications. Three dislocations of the USDGB were seen. In group 2 (CAC) only four out of seven could be drained by this technique, in these four patients (a) major bleeding and (b) pericholecystic fluid collections were observed. In both groups no further complications during USDGB or its removal were seen. CONCLUSIONS: In acute acalculous cholecystitis the use of trocar technique in applying the USDGB is easy and bedside performable, in acute calculous cholecystitis the USD should be done by Seldinger technique.     

增强超声诊断并超声引导介入治疗胆囊炎伴穿孔一例

胆囊穿孔是急性胆囊炎的严重并发症,主要发生在与胆石症相关的急性胆囊化脓性炎症之后,其发病率和死亡率都很高。增强超声是一种动态实时显示器官或肿瘤微血流的成像技术,近年来被用于胆囊疾病的评估,包括鉴别胆囊肿瘤及评价胆囊壁的完整性等。本病例中,增强超声通过观察胆囊壁的血供和胆囊壁的完整性,及时、准确地判断了胆囊穿孔的出现,并在超声引导下行经皮经肝胆囊穿刺置管引流,迅速缓解患者症状,防止病情恶化。     

Point-of-care ultrasound diagnosis of pediatric cholecystitis in the ED

Objective

The diagnosis of cholecystitis or biliary tract disease in children and adolescents is an uncommon occurrence in the emergency department and other acute care settings. Misdiagnosis and delays in diagnosing children with cholecystitis or biliary tract disease of up to months and years have been reported in the literature. We discuss the technique and potential utility of point-of-care ultrasound evaluation in a series of pediatric patients with suspected cholecystitis or biliary tract disease.

Methods

We present a nonconsecutive case series of pediatric and adolescent patients with abdominal pain diagnosed with cholecystitis or biliary tract disease using point-of-care ultrasound. The published sonographic criteria is 3 mm or less for the upper limits of normal gallbladder wall thickness and is 3 mm or less for normal common bile duct diameter (measured from inner wall to inner wall) in children. Measurements above these limits were considered abnormal, in addition to the sonographic presence of gallstones, pericholecystic fluid, and a sonographic Murphy's sign.

Results

Point-of care ultrasound screening detected 13 female pediatric patients with cholecystitis or biliary tract disease when the authors were on duty over a 5-year period. Diagnoses were confirmed by radiology imaging or at surgery and surgical pathology.

Conclusions

Point-of-care ultrasound to detect pediatric cholecystitis or biliary tract disease may help avoid misdiagnosis or delays in diagnosis in children with abdominal pain.     

Gallbladder abnormalities in medical ICU patients: An ultrasonographic study

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) have many risks factors for gallbladder stasis or acute acalculous cholecystitis (ACC), including fasting, total parenteral nutrition, sedation, mechanical ventilation, infection and shock. We have performed a prospective study to estimate the prevalence of ultrasonographic gallbladder abnormalities in 30 consecutive medical ICU patients during the first 2 days of their stay in the ICU. Two patients had previously undergone cholecystectomy and were excluded from the study. Seventeen (61%) of the remaining 28 patients presented with gall-bladder abnormalities. Considering three major criteria of ACC, 14 patients (50%) presented with either sludge (25%), wall thickening (22%) or hydrops (11%). However, none of the patients needed a surgical procedure during the study because of gallbladder disease. We conclude that an important proportion of ICU patients presented with gallbladder abnormalities shown by ultrasonography and that this may have implications for establishing a diagnosis of ACC using ultrasonographic criteria.     

Contribution of ultrasonography and cholescintigraphy to the diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis in intensive care unit patients

OBJECTIVES: To assess the respective value of ultrasonography (US) and morphine cholescintigraphy (MC) in the diagnosis of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective study in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTION: Twenty-eight patients with clinically and biologically suspected of AAC. US was performed at the bedside and less than 12 h later MC. US was considered positive if three major criteria were present: wall thickness greater than 4 mm, hydrops, sludge; MC results were regarded as positive if the gallbladder could not be visualized. These latter patients underwent cholecystectomy and the diagnosis of AAC was confirmed through histopathological study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Sensitivity of US and MC, respectively, was 50% and 67%, specificity 94% and 100%, positive predictive value 86% and 100%, negative predictive value 71% and 80%, and accuracy 75% and 86%. The correlation between US and MC findings was 71%, with chi = 0.31. By Bayesian analysis the probability of disease if the MC finding was positive was 100% regardless of US results. A positive US finding was associated with a 86% probability of disease, but with a probability of only 66% in case of negative MC results. MC is thus superior to US for confirming AAC in selected critically ill patients. Nevertheless, US is an easy, noninvasive, and effective method of bedside screening. The combination of the two imaging tests improves diagnostic accuracy and reduces false-positive and false-negative rates. Poor agreement between the two tests leads to better diagnostic complementarity.     

Role of99mTc-IDA cholescintigraphy in evaluating biliary tract disorders

Technetium-99m IDA cholescintigraphy has provided a new, noninvasive means of visualizing biliary tract function. It has become the procedure of choice in patients with suspected acute cholecystitis because of its ability to most accurately detect functional obstruction or patency of the cystic duct as opposed to ultrasound's ability to detect only anatomic changes such as the presence of calculi or a thickened gallbladder wall. These latter findings are more important in establishing the diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis where ultrasound shares a position of prime importance with the oral cholecystogram. Tc-99m IDA cholescintigraphy has also been particularly useful in evaluating bile leaks, biliary-enteric anastomosis patency and the post-cholecystectomy patient with recurrent pain. In the patient with cholestasis, ultrasound is usually the procedure of choice since it establishes whether or not ductal dilatation is present and frequently can determine the cause of obstruction. Cholescintigraphy has played an ancillary role in many cases by demonstrating the level of partial obstruction, but it does not have the anatomic resolution to visualize the cause of obstruction. Occasionally, in the evaluation of cholestasis, cholescintigraphy has proven to be the only modality which has identified the presence of acute common duct obstruction or localized intrahepatic ductal obstruction. All in all, Tc-99m IDA cholescintigraphy has had a dramatic impact upon hepatobiliary diagnosis.     

Gangrenous cholecystitis: prediction with CT imaging

The aim of this study is to determine the usefulness of different patterns of gallbladder mucosal enhancement on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for differentiating between gangrenous and uncomplicated acute cholecystitis. This retrospective evaluation involved 56 patients with histopathologically proved acute cholecystitis (32 with gangrenous and 24 with uncomplicated acute cholecystitis) who had preoperative contrast-enhanced CT imaging. CT in 38 patients showed a gallbladder mucosal enhancement pattern that could be categorized into continuous, discontinuous, and/or irregular categories. In the other 18 patients, the mucosal enhancement pattern could not be classified due to lack of mucosal enhancement or inadequate mucosal enhancement. On contrast-enhanced CT evaluation, continuous and discontinuous and/or irregular mucosal enhancement patterns were seen in 20 and 18 patients, respectively. Among the 20 patients with continuous mucosal enhancement, 17 had uncomplicated acute cholecystitis. Seventeen of the 18 patients with discontinuous and/or irregular mucosal enhancement had gangrenous cholecystitis. The sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of discontinuous and/or irregular mucosal enhancement in the diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis were 30.3% and 94.4% (17 of 18), respectively. The sensitivity and PPV of continuous mucosal enhancement in the diagnosis of uncomplicated acute cholecystitis were 30.3% and 85.5% (17 of 20), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.0005) between the PPV of discontinuous and/or irregular (94.4%) and that of continuous (15%) mucosal enhancement for predicting gangrenous cholecystitis. The pattern of gallbladder mucosal enhancement on CT can be used as a reliable criterion for distinguishing acute, uncomplicated cholecystitis from gangrenous cholecystitis.     

A Rare Ultrasonographic Finding of Emphysematous Cholecystitis: The Champagne Sign

BackgroundEmphysematous cholecystitis (EC) is a form of cholecystitis with high mortality rates more commonly seen in patients with medical histories such as diabetes, hypertension, and peripheral vascular disease. The common features of these medical diseases are impaired pain perception, particularly abdominal pain, due to advanced age and peripheral neuropathies. Accurate evaluation of characteristics observed at ultrasonography, the method of first choice in the diagnosis of EC, is therefore highly important in these patients.Case ReportThis study reports a case of the champagne sign, rarely seen in EC, together with other EC findings.Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?The champagne sign is a little-known sonographic finding that is evidence of the presence of gas in the gallbladder. The champagne sign that will be detected while evaluating the hepatobiliary system on bedside ultrasound is one of the valuable findings in the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis with high mortality.