Ultrasonography in carcinoma of the gallbladder. Diagnostic difficulties and pitfalls.
Gallbladder carcinoma (GBCA) is difficult to diagnose in its early stage by ultrasound (US) due to the non-specificity of various characteristics. In an investigation of 25 female patients (mean age 68.2 years) all with a histologic diagnosis of primary GBCA (adenocarcinoma) and a US examination prior to that, the correct diagnosis was only established in 11. The sensitivity was thus low (44%). The inability to differentiate GBCA from chronic cholecystitis (contracted gallbladder with stones) makes this US finding hazardous, and implicates a considerable risk of overlooking malignancy. A cholecystectomy without delay in these patients may lead to the discovery of further cases of GBCA in early stages.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography