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Gallbladder abnormalities in carcinoma of pancreatic head: findings on MR imaging

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Abstract

Background

Our objective is to study the gallbladder abnormalities on MR images associated with carcinoma of the pancreatic head.

Methods

Thirty-six patients who had surgical resection of pancreatic head carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed regarding the appearance of the tumor and gallbladder on MR imaging performed within one month before surgery. The changes of the gallbladder wall, and the dimension of the gallbladder, cystic duct, pericholecystic region, and common bile duct (CBD) on MR imaging were noted.

Results

About 92% (33/36) of patients had at least one gallbladder abnormality on MR imaging, including thickened gallbladder wall (58%), gallbladder wall striation (19%), gallbladder wall severe enhancement (44%), enlarged gallbladder (33%), gallbladder stone (19%), dilatation of cystic duct (67%), focally increased liver parenchymal enhancement adjacent to the gallbladder (19%), and pericholecystic fluid (11%). 64% of patients had dilated CBD. The diameter of the cystic duct was correlated with those of the CBD (r = 0.45, P < 0.01) and gallbladder (r = 0.56, P < 0.0001). Enlarged gallbladder, dilatation of the cystic duct, and CBD were correlated with chronic cholecystitis.

Conclusion

Most patients with pancreatic head carcinoma show gallbladder abnormalities on MR imaging. Cystic duct dilatation follows CBD dilatation and is the primary cause for dilated gallbladder and chronic cholecystitis in carcinoma of pancreatic head.

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Zhang XM was supported by Grant 30370436 and 30770612, National nature science foundation of China, and Grant NCET-06-0820, Ministry of Education of P.R. China

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 132 S 10th Street, 1094 Main Bulding, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Xiao Ming Zhang, Donald G. Mitchell, Jae Ho Byun, Sachit K. Verma & Diane Bergin

  2. Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Wenhua Road 63, Nanchong, Sichuan, 637000, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao Ming Zhang

  3. Department of Pathology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 132 S 10th St, 285 Main Bldg, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Agnes Witkiewicz

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  1. Xiao Ming Zhang
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  2. Donald G. Mitchell
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  3. Jae Ho Byun
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  4. Sachit K. Verma
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  5. Diane Bergin
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Correspondence to Xiao Ming Zhang.

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Zhang, X.M., Mitchell, D.G., Byun, J.H. et al. Gallbladder abnormalities in carcinoma of pancreatic head: findings on MR imaging. Abdom Imaging 34, 507–513 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-008-9422-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-008-9422-6

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