Sonographic diagnosis of unsuspected XXXX : imaging findings in comparison with @entity1085 .

@entity1 @entity1085 @entity5 @entity4 @entity5932 @entity5990 @entity2679 @entity1086
OBJECTIVE: Several sonographic findings were analyzed to determine their significance in distinguishing @entity1086 from benign conditions of the gallbladder. The analyzed findings were @entity5990 number and size; floating stones; displaced stones; wall thickening, irregularity, and echogenicity; mucosal plaque; intraluminal mass; gallbladder-replacing mass; invasive gallbladder mass; @entity1085 ; @entity1085 ; and submucosal or transmural echolucency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sonograms of 20 @entity1 with unsuspected, pathologically proven @entity5 and 65 @entity1 with @entity1085 (predominantly acute or chronic @entity2679 ) were retrospectively assessed by two observers who were unaware of experimental conditions. Gallstone number and size were assessed, and the presence of floating stone (neither settling nor wall-adherent), displaced stone (lifted from the gallbladder wall by mass or focal wall thickening), wall irregularity, mucosal plaque, intracystic mass, and gallbladder-replacing or invasive mass was evaluated. The echogenicity pattern of the gallbladder wall was characterized, and its thickness was measured and classified as normal/mildly thickened (< 7 mm) or moderately/severely thickened (> or = 7 mm). In addition, the gallbladder wall was evaluated for discontinuous mucosal echo, @entity5932 , submucosal or mural echolucency, and pericholecystic fluid collection. Sonographic findings were compared by the Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric variables and by Student's t test for continuous variables. RESULTS: Solitary @entity5990 , displaced stone, intraluminal mass, gallbladder-replacing or invasive mass, and discontinuity of the mucosal echo were all statistically significantly more common in @entity1 with @entity1086 (.001 < p < .05). Mucosal plaque and wall irregularity were nonspecific findings. Gallbladder wall thickening by itself was nonspecific, although associated echolayering, transmural or submucosal @entity4 , or a distinctly specular mucosal lining favored benign etiologies. CONCLUSION: Several sonographic findings were significantly more common in @entity1 with @entity1086 compared with @entity1 with @entity1085 . Assessment of these signs may be helpful in distinguishing @entity1086 from benign conditions of the gallbladder.
