The gallbladder

Abstract

The gallbladder is affected by a diverse spectrum of diseases, which may have nonspecific signs and symptoms. Imaging plays an important role in differentiating the various causes of gallbladder disease and in guiding management. This chapter begins with a description of normal gallbladder anatomy and anatomic variants followed by gallbladder imaging techniques. Next, this chapter divides gallbladder diseases according to imaging patterns-intraluminal filling defects, diffuse gallbladder wall thickening, focal gallbladder wall thickening, abnormal gallbladder wall density, distended gallbladder, and hyperdense bile-and discusses in each section how to correctly diagnose gallbladder disease.