Dados do Trabalho

Título

Findings in tomography and resonance in gallbladder pathology

Introdução e objetivo(s)

The gallbladder is an organ that stores bile produced by the liver and releases it into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. Various diseases can affect the gallbladder, from gallstones to neoproliferative processes.

Imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) play a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of gallbladder pathologies. These techniques allow visualization of the gallbladder and surrounding structures.

Describe the main gallbladder pathologies that can be identified by CT and MRI.
Illustrate the characteristic radiological findings of each pathology.
Highlight the role of CT and MRI in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder diseases.

Método(s)

An exhaustive review of the cases received at our multiple locations was carried out. CT and MR images of patients with various gallbladder pathologies were selected to illustrate the characteristic radiological findings in both benign and malignant pathology.

Discussão

Below are some of the most common gallbladder pathologies and their findings on CT and MRI:

Cholelithiasis: gallstones are the most common gallbladder pathology. On CT, they are visualized as hyperdense structures within the gallbladder. On MRI, they may appear as hypointense images on T1 and T2 sequences.

Cholecystitis: inflammation of the gallbladder can be acute or chronic. On CT, it is characterized by gallbladder wall thickening, perivesicular fluid, and wall enhancement after contrast administration. On MRI, similar findings can be seen, as well as edema of the gallbladder wall and fluid in the gallbladder lumen.

Gallbladder cancer: it is a rare but aggressive neoplasm. On CT and MRI, it may present as a mass occupying the gallbladder lumen, thickening of the gallbladder wall, or infiltration of adjacent organs.

Conclusões

CT and MRI are valuable tools in the diagnosis and management of gallbladder pathologies. These techniques allow us to visualize the gallbladder and surrounding structures in great detail, allowing us to identify its abnormalities and plan appropriate treatment.

Importantly, interpretation of CT and MR images requires specialized knowledge and experience. Radiologists play a fundamental role in the accurate diagnosis of gallbladder pathologies and in communicating the findings to treating physicians.

Palavras Chave

gallbladder pathology

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