title: Unusual presentation of cholelithiasis on T1-weighted MR imaging.
abstract: Cholelithiasis usually appears on magnetic resonance as a signal void contrasting with the high signal of surrounding bile. We describe the appearance of two intraluminal gallstones as high-signal areas on a heavily T1-weighted scan and, based on infrared spectroscopic analysis of the stones, believe the fatty-acid content of the stones accounts for this unusual result. Increased focal intraluminal signal on strongly T1-weighted sequences does not, therefore, preclude a diagnosis of cholelithiasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Bowman Gray School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Moeser
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Julian
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karstaedt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sterchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000032:analysis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D042882:Gallstones / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D005227:Fatty Acids