Ultrasound of Gallbladder Adenomyomatosis

In this radiology lecture, we review the ultrasound appearance of adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder!

Key teaching points include:

  • Common cause of benign gallbladder wall thickening seen in up to 9% of patients
  • Incidence increases with age
  • Usually asymptomatic, but may be associated with sporadic RUQ pain
  • Hyperplastic changes of gallbladder wall with mucosal overgrowth. Mucosal herniations protrude into muscular layer forming tiny, bile-filled cystic spaces = Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses
  • If large, sinuses may appear as discrete cystic spaces in gallbladder wall
  • Cholesterol crystals in sinuses cause comet-tail reverberation artifact: Most common finding and highly specific for adenomyomatosis. Can exaggerate comet-tail with addition of color Doppler
  • Three types: Focal/fundal, segmental/annular and diffuse. Regardless of type, comet-tail artifacts and/or cystic spaces are key to diagnosis
  • Focal/fundal type: Most common. Often exhibits an “ovary on the gallbladder” appearance. Can be confused with a gallbladder mass. High-frequency linear transducer may be helpful to identify morphology
  • Segmental/annular type: Narrows waist of gallbladder yielding a figure 8 or hourglass configuration. Gallstones and/or sludge often form in proximal lumen due to increased stasis
  • If necessary, MRI helpful for problem solving: T2 hyperintense pearl necklace/string of beads appearance sensitive and specific

To learn more about the Samsung RS85 Prestige ultrasound system, please visit: https://www.bostonimaging.com/rs85-prestige-ultrasound-system-4

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