Radiology, Vol 204, 723-728, Copyright © 1997 by Radiological Society of North America

ARTICLES

Gallbladder disease: appearance of associated transient increased attenuation in the liver at biphasic, contrast-enhanced dynamic CT

K Ito, H Awaya, DG Mitchell, K Honjo, T Fujita, H Uchisako, K Moritani, S Nomura, M Higuchi, T Kada, T Matsumoto and N Matsunaga
Department of Radiology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Japan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the frequency, location, and appearance of transient increased attenuation in the liver during arterial-phase helical or incremental computed tomography (CT) in patients with gallbladder disease without hepatic extension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Findings in dynamic CT examinations in 31 patients with surgically proved gallbladder disease not extending into the liver and in 31 control patients without gallbladder disease were retrospectively reviewed and correlated with findings in other imaging examinations. RESULTS: Areas of transient increased hepatic attenuation (n = 27) were identified in 22 of 31 patients with gallbladder disease and in only one of 31 control patients. The difference in these findings was statistically significant (P < .001). In the 27 areas of transient increased hepatic attenuation, these findings were categorized as curvilinear or nodular attenuation adjacent to the gallbladder fossa in 13 (48%), segmental or subsegmental attenuation in segment IV and/or V in seven (26%), lobar attenuation in the left lobe (segments II-IV) in four (15%), and nodular attenuation seen as an early enhancing "pseudolesion" in segment IV in three (11%). Hepatic angiography performed in 10 of the 22 patients showed early depiction of the dilated cystic vein (n = 8) and direct communication with the portal branches (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Transient increased attenuation in the liver had a variable appearance at dynamic arterial-phase CT in most patients with gallbladder disease. This attenuation was most likely due to increased blood flow from the hepatobiliary system.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. C. Tan Enlargement of the Hilar Periportal Space Radiology, August 1, 2008; 248(2): 699 - 700. [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Catalano, F. Sandomenico, A. Nunziata, M. M. Raso, P. Vallone, and A. Siani Transient Hepatic Echogenicity Difference on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography: Sonographic Sign and Pitfall J. Ultrasound Med., March 1, 2007; 26(3): 337 - 345. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. J. Jeong, S. Kim, Y. D. Wook, J. W. Lee, K.-I. Kim, and S. H. Lee Scrub Typhus: Clinical, Pathologic, and Imaging Findings RadioGraphics, January 1, 2007; 27(1): 161 - 172. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. H. Choi, J. M. Lee, K. H. Lee, S. H. Kim, Y. J. Kim, S. K. An, J. K. Han, and B. I. Choi Relationship Between Various Patterns of Transient Increased Hepatic Attenuation on CT and Portal Vein Thrombosis Related to Acute Cholecystitis Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2004; 183(2): 437 - 442. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Arai, K. Kawai, W. Kohda, H. Tatsu, O. Matsui, and T. Nakahama Dynamic CT of Acute Cholangitis: Early Inhomogeneous Enhancement of the Liver Am. J. Roentgenol., July 1, 2003; 181(1): 115 - 118. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. L. Bennett, H. Rusinek, V. Lisi, G. M. Israel, G. A. Krinsky, C. M. Slywotzky, and A. Megibow CT Findings in Acute Gangrenous Cholecystitis Am. J. Roentgenol., February 1, 2002; 178(2): 275 - 281. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Yoshimitsu, H. Honda, T. Kuroiwa, H. Irie, H. Aibe, K. Shinozaki, and K. Masuda Unusual Hemodynamics and Pseudolesions of the Noncirrhotic Liver at CT RadioGraphics, October 1, 2001; 21(90001): S81 - 96. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Quiroga, C. Sebastia, E. Pallisa, E. Castella, M. Perez-Lafuente, and A. Alvarez-Castells Improved Diagnosis of Hepatic Perfusion Disorders: Value of Hepatic Arterial Phase Imaging during Helical CT RadioGraphics, January 1, 2001; 21(1): 65 - 81. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. A. Urban and E. K. Fishman Tailored Helical CT Evaluation of Acute Abdomen : (CME available in print version and on RSNA Link) RadioGraphics, May 1, 2000; 20(3): 725 - 749. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. A. Bortoff, M. Y. M. Chen, D. J. Ott, N. T. Wolfman, and W. D. Routh Gallbladder Stones: Imaging and Intervention RadioGraphics, May 1, 2000; 20(3): 751 - 766. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]