Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and gallbladder diseases - a retrospective mono-center analysis of imaging findings with histopathological correlation.

BACKGROUND: Radiologic imaging, especially ultrasound has an important role in the assessment of gallbladder alteration. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an easy and fast imaging technique that overcomes the limitations of greyscale ultrasonography. It is a safe tool that can be used as an additional imaging modality in order to elucidate and differentiate gallbladder pathological findings.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this retrospective study analysis is to assess the diagnostic performance of CEUS in gallbladder alterations and compare the results to the histopathological findings.

METHODS: A total of 17 patients between 2009 and 2017 with uncertain gallbladder appearance were retrospectively analysed. A single experienced physician with more than fifteen years' experience performed CEUS examinations by applying a second-generation blood pool agent (SonoVue ®, Bracco, Milan, Italy). Archived images were interpreted by the same physician and compared to the histopathological findings.

RESULTS: CEUS results when correlated to the respectively pathologic findings presented a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 100%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 100% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 100%. All patients were successfully examined without any adverse reaction.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the excellent results in this study acknowledged that CEUS is a feasible alternative tool to differentiate gallbladder pathologic alterations.