Spread of gallbladder carcinoma: CT evaluation with pathologic correlation.
BACKGROUND
To assess the accuracy of computed tomographic (CT) imaging in the detection of spread and staging of gallbladder carcinoma.


METHODS
CT findings of spread of gallbladder carcinoma in 59 Japanese patients who underwent radical surgery were correlated retrospectively with pathologic findings.


RESULTS
The incidence of histologically proven nodal involvement was 54% (32 patients) and the most common spread of gallbladder carcinoma. The sensitivities in CT detection of N1 and N2 nodal involvement were 36% and 47%, respectively; positive predictive values were 94% and 92%, respectively. Direct extension to the liver, extrahepatic bile duct, and gastrointestinal tract or pancreas were histologically confirmed in 24, 18, and five patients. The sensitivities in the CT detection of direct spread to the liver of less than 2 cm, more than 2 cm, the extrahepatic bile duct, and the gastrointestinal tract or pancreas were 65%, 100%, 50%, and 57%, respectively; positive predictive values were 77%, 100%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. The incidence of liver metastases and involvement of interaortocaval nodes were 7% and 16%, respectively. The sensitivities in CT detection of liver metastases and involvement of interaortocaval nodes were 75% and 21%, respectively; positive predictive values were 100% and 86%, respectively. CT could not detect direct spread to omentum and peritoneal seedings.


CONCLUSIONS
For detecting the spread of gallbladder carcinoma, CT imaging has low to moderate sensitivity; however, CT imaging can help in determining resectability and in planning the treatment, especially in advanced-stage gallbladder carcinoma, because of a high positive predictive value.
Ohtani
T
T
Department of Surgery, Niigata University School of Medicine, 1-757 Asahimachi-dori, Niigata 951, Japan.
Shirai
Y
Y
Tsukada
K
K
Muto
T
T
Hatakeyama
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017734:Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009852:Omentum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010534:Peritoneal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed