Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to diagnose complicated XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1085 @entity13879 @entity733 @entity2679 @entity14784
UNASSIGNED: @entity2679 and perforation are severe complications of @entity14784 , which have a challenging preoperative diagnosis. Early identification allows better surgical management. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (ceCT) is the current diagnostic gold standard. Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) is a promising tool for the diagnosis of @entity1085 , but data from the literature concerning efficacy are sparse. The aim of the study was to evaluate CEUS findings in pathologically proven complicated @entity2679 ( @entity13879 , @entity1085 , @entity733 ). A total of 8 @entity1 submitted to preoperative CEUS, and with subsequent proven acute complicated @entity2679 at surgical inspection and pathological analysis, were retrospectively identified. The final diagnosis was @entity13879 /phlegmonous @entity2679 (n. 2), phlegmonous/ulcerative changes plus @entity733 (n. 2), perforated plus @entity733 (n. 3), or perforated plus pericholecystic biliary collection (n. 1). Conventional US findings revealed irregularly thickened gallbladder walls in all 8 @entity1 , with vaguely defined walls in 7 @entity1 , four of whom also had striated wall thickening. CEUS revealed irregular enhancing gallbladder walls in all @entity1 . A distinct wall defect was seen in six @entity1 , confirmed as @entity13879 /phlegmonous @entity2679 at pathology in all six, and in four as perforation at macroscopic surgical inspection. CEUS is a non-invasive easily repeatable technique that can be performed at the bedside, and is able to accurately diagnose complicated/perforated @entity2679 . Despite the limited sample size in the present case series, CEUS appears as a promising tool for the management of @entity1 with the clinical possibility of having an acute complicated @entity2679 .
