The ultrasound spectrum of emphysematous cholecystitis

Abstract

This report presents a gamut of ultrasound signs that may be seen in emphysematous cholecystitis. These can be summarized as follows: Intraluminal gas: (a) A dense band of hyper-reflective echoes with distal reverberations when gallbladder is full of gas. (b) A band of reverberations in the gas-filled portion of the gallbladder with the usual signs of cholecystitis in the bile-filled portion when the gallbladder is partially full of gas. Intramural gas: (c) An area of high reflectivity in the gallbladder wall with reverberations that may change position with change in position of patient. (d) A bright hyper-reflective ring emanating from the whole circumference of the gallbladder.