Computed tomography evaluation of high-density bile in the gallbladder.

On computed tomograms obtained during a seven-year period, 27 patients were found to have high-density bile in the gallbladder. Serial computed tomography (CT) examinations showed that gradual narrowing of common bile duct is a causative factor. This has not been reported previously. The density of the bile in the gallbladder of patients with such obstruction was almost equal to that of normal liver on CT. In some of the patients in whom obstruction of the cystic duct was the factor of high-density bile and continued for a long time, the density of the bile decreased and hydrops developed.