title: Ultrasound in the examination of the gallbladder - a holistic approach: grey scale, Doppler, CEUS, elastography, and 3D.
abstract: Ultrasonography (US) is the essential imaging method in gallbladder examination being the most widespread and inexpensive technique. The method is indicated both in congenital and acquired disorders, inflammatory, tumoral, or degenerative pathology. Besides the basic technique (grey scale US), new sophisticated techniques exist: Doppler US, i.v. contrast enhanced harmonic examination, tridimensional US, elastography. Each technique provides specific information, while their combination helps, in most cases, to establish the accurate non-invasive diagnosis. However, the US findings should be correlated with the patient's clinical exam and other imaging methods. This paper is a synthesis of literature combined with our own experience, aiming to present the US features of gallbladder pathology and the correlations within the clinical picture and other imaging methods. Relevant images for this integrative approach are presented. The final conclusion is the necessity for a correlation of all clinical and imaging data in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, 3rd Medical Clinic, "Octavian Fodor" Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,"Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. lilichiorean@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Radu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badea
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, 3rd Medical Clinic, "Octavian Fodor" Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,"Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Razvan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zaro
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Iulian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Opincariu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasonography, 3rd Medical Clinic, "Octavian Fodor" Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology,"Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chiorean
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media