Medical expert of the article
New publications
Computed tomography of the gallbladder
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
After the creation of a choledochoenteroanastomosis, sphincterotomy or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), hypodense air bubbles usually appear in the lumen of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Such presence of air should always be differentiated from gas due to the development of an abscess in anaerobic infection.
Dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts is called cholestasis. It can develop as a result of blockage of the bile ducts by stones or neoplasms (bile ducts, pancreas, ampulla of Vater).
If cholestasis cannot be eliminated surgically, a stent is implanted to decompress the bile ducts.
Gallbladder
The shape and size of the gallbladder depend on the time that has passed since the last meal. The diagnosis of gallbladder hydrops is established only with a pronounced expansion, when its size in several projections exceeds 5 cm. Usually, the coefficient of bile attenuation is slightly higher than water (0 HU), but thickening of bile leads to its increase to 25 HU.
Gallstone disease
Gallbladder lumen may contain concretions with varying degrees of calcification. Bilirubin and cholesterol concretions usually show goblet or ring-shaped calcification. If concretions block the cystic duct or if stenosis develops due to inflammation, a high-density bile sediment, called sludge, may form due to sedimentation. Concrements in the common bile duct are better detected using thin sections. This is because small concretions are easy to miss on standard-thickness sections.
Chronic inflammatory processes
Cholecystolithiasis leads to chronic inflammation of the gallbladder with its filling with stones, shrinkage, development of acute cholecystitis or empyema (determined by an unevenly thickened wall). Chronic inflammation increases the risk of malignant tissue degeneration. The development of a porcelain gallbladder with calcification in the form of a shell can be regarded as a precancerous condition.
[