MR imaging in clinically suspected acute cholecystitis. A comparison with ultrasonography.

PURPOSE: The diagnostic value of fast pulse sequences in MR imaging was compared with US in patients with clinically suspected acute cholecystitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study of 94 patients, 35 were examined with both MR and US within 24 h.

RESULTS: MR diagnoses were acute cholecystitis in 23, gallbladder and common bile duct stones in 3, other pathologic conditions of the abdomen in 7 and normal in 2 patients. US diagnoses were acute cholecystitis in 17, gallbladder stones in 8, other pathologic conditions of the abdomen in 2, normal in 5 and non-conclusive in 3 patients.

CONCLUSION: MR has a higher sensitivity than US for diagnosing acute cholecystitis and, with increased accessibility, may be the first imaging method.