[Diagnostic imaging of gallbladder carcinomas with special reference to ultrasonographic findings. Retrospective review with emphasis on diagnostic problems in preoperatively undiagnosed gallbladder carcinomas].

The diagnostic images of twenty surgically-resected gallbladder carcinomas were retrospectively reviewed for correlations with macroscopic findings. Among them, nine cases were correctly diagnosed preoperatively; 11 were not. Macroscopically, all correctly diagnosed lesions were elevated type carcinomas. Preoperatively undiagnosed lesions were comprised by 9 superficial and 2 elevated types of carcinomas. None of these 11 undiagnosed carcinomas could be identified on retrospective review of the ultrasonographic findings. Thorough evaluation of the gallbladder wall was prevented by gallstones and/or emphysema in 6 cases, and by contraction of the gallbladder in 4 cases. There was no definite evidence of wall thickening in one case of diffuse superficial carcinoma involving the muscle layer. As for lesion detectability, computed tomography was inferior to ultrasonography, though the former demonstrated localized wall thickening of the gallbladder in the majority of cases of elevated type carcinomas. Intravenous cholangiographic findings were non-specific.