Sonography of Acute Cholecystitis and Its Mimics

Daniel C Oppenheimer; Deborah J Rubens

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2019.01.002

Sonography of Acute Cholecystitis and Its Mimics

Radiol Clin North Am. 2019 May;57(3):535-548. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2019.01.002. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Authors

Daniel C Oppenheimer¹, Deborah J Rubens²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Electronic address: Daniel_Oppenheimer@URMC.Rochester.edu.
² Department of Imaging Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box 648, Rochester, NY 14642, USA.

PMID: 30928076
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2019.01.002

Abstract

Right upper quadrant (RUQ) abdominal pain is a common complaint. Acute cholecystitis (AC) is the primary diagnostic consideration in most adults presenting with acute onset RUQ abdominal pain; however, a variety of other conditions can mimic AC. Abdominal ultrasound (US) receives the highest score for imaging appropriateness for these patients. This article reviews the sonographic findings of uncomplicated and complicated AC and provides practical technical tips. The radiologist should be familiar with conditions that can mimic AC, be able to suggest these alternative diagnoses when findings are present on US, and recommend additional tests or procedures, if needed.

Keywords: Acute cholecystitis; Cholelithiasis; GB perforation; Gangrenous cholecystitis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Abdominal Pain / diagnostic imaging
Cholecystitis, Acute / diagnostic imaging*
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Ultrasonography / methods*