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Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in gallbladder disease: a pictorial review

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Abstract

With its excellent contrast and spatial resolution, and the ability to image in real-time, ultrasound is the main imaging modality for assessing the gallbladder (GB). The application of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) of the GB is now increasingly recognized as a useful addition to ultrasound and other cross-sectional imaging in the assessment of neoplastic and non-neoplastic GB disease. With the ability to image microcirculation and optimal contrast resolution, CEUS allows high-quality delineation in real-time, allowing for increased diagnostic confidence. In addition, ultrasound contrast agents have a favorable safety profile and can be used if CT or MR contrast agents are contraindicated or undesired. In this review, the CEUS appearances of a range of GB diseases encountered are presented, including adenomyomatosis, polyps, carcinoma, sludge, and cholecystitis with mural ulceration or perforation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC, 3050, Australia

    J. F. Gerstenmaier & R. N. Gibson

  2. Department of Radiology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, P.O. Box 1980, Norfolk, VA, 23501, USA

    K. N. Hoang

  3. The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia

    R. N. Gibson

Authors
  1. J. F. Gerstenmaier
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  2. K. N. Hoang
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  3. R. N. Gibson
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Correspondence to J. F. Gerstenmaier.

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Gerstenmaier, J.F., Hoang, K.N. & Gibson, R.N. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in gallbladder disease: a pictorial review. Abdom Radiol 41, 1640–1652 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-016-0729-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-016-0729-4

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