Radiology Case Reports (Jul 2022)

Asymptomatic gangrenous cholecystitis diagnosed using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in a patient with pancreatic cancer

  • Ryo Katsumata, MD,
  • Noriaki Manabe, MD,
  • Takashi Urano, MD,
  • Tomohiro Tanikawa, MD,
  • Katsunori Ishii, MD,
  • Maki Ayaki, MD,
  • Minoru Fujita, MD,
  • Mitsuhiko Suehiro, MD,
  • Hideyo Fujiwara, MD,
  • Yasumasa Monobe, MD,
  • Tomoari Kamada, MD,
  • Tomoki Yamatsuji, MD,
  • Yoshio Naomoto, MD,
  • Ken Haruma, MD,
  • Hirofumi Kawamoto, MD

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 7
pp. 2309 – 2314

Abstract

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A 72-year-old female without abdominal symptoms visited our hospital for routine follow-up while undergoing pancreatic cancer treatment (using TS-1). Her vital signs were normal, and her abdomen was soft and non-tender. Blood test revealed elevated C-reactive protein levels with normal white blood cell count. Computed tomography was performed for follow-up of pancreatic cancer. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed partial discontinuity and irregular thickness of the gallbladder wall; however, a definitive diagnosis was not obtained due to unclear imaging. Contrast-enhanced transabdominal ultrasonography revealed intraluminal membranes in the gallbladder and a perfusion defect at the bottom, indicating gangrenous cholecystitis. Surgical resection was performed, and pathological examination showed severe necrosis of the gallbladder wall, consistent with the findings of contrast-enhanced transabdominal ultrasonography.

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