eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Gastrointestinal

Porcelain Gallbladder: Multimedia

Author: Ali Nawaz Khan, MBBS, FRCS, FRCP, FRCR, LRCP, Chairman of Medical Imaging, Professor of Radiology, NGHA, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Coauthor(s): Margaret Aird, MBChB, FRCR, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Wythenshawe Hospital; Sumaira MacDonald, MBChB, PhD, MRCP, FRCR, Lecturer, Sheffield University Medical School; Endovascular Fellow, Sheffield Vascular Institute; David Sherlock, MBBS, FRCS, Consulting Staff, Department of Surgery, North Manchester General Hospital, Christie Hospital
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Feb 12, 2008

Multimedia

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 1: A plain abdominal radiograph that shows a right upper quadrant pyriform opaque mass with curvilinear calcification; this finding suggests porcelain gallbladder.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A plain abdominal radiograph that shows a right upper quadrant pyriform opaque mass with curvilinear calcification; this finding suggests porcelain gallbladder.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 2: On this sonogram, a calcified gallbladder mass appears as a hyperechoic semilunar structure with complete, posterior acoustic shadowing. The appearance is similar to that of a scarred gallbladder filled with calculi (same patient as in Image 1).

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

On this sonogram, a calcified gallbladder mass appears as a hyperechoic semilunar structure with complete, posterior acoustic shadowing. The appearance is similar to that of a scarred gallbladder filled with calculi (same patient as in Image 1).

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 3: This CT scan obtained in a patient with nonbiliary symptoms shows a partial gallbladder wall calcification that suggests porcelain gallbladder.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

This CT scan obtained in a patient with nonbiliary symptoms shows a partial gallbladder wall calcification that suggests porcelain gallbladder.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 4: A sonogram obtained through the gallbladder fossa that shows an irregular clump of echoes with partial shadowing (same patient as in Image 3).

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A sonogram obtained through the gallbladder fossa that shows an irregular clump of echoes with partial shadowing (same patient as in Image 3).

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 5: A transaxial enhanced CT scan of a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a partially calcified gallbladder (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 6-8).

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A transaxial enhanced CT scan of a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a partially calcified gallbladder (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 6-8).

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 6: A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a partially calcified gallbladder, which is associated with a gallbladder calculus (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5 and 7-8).

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a partially calcified gallbladder, which is associated with a gallbladder calculus (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5 and 7-8).

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 7: A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a polypoid mass in the gallbladder where the curvilinear calcification is fragmented (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5-6 and 8).

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a polypoid mass in the gallbladder where the curvilinear calcification is fragmented (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5-6 and 8).

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 8: A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a break in the gallbladder wall (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5-7).

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a break in the gallbladder wall (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5-7).

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 9: This plain abdominal radiograph shows milk-of-calcium bile and a calculus that obstructs the Hartmann pouch.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

This plain abdominal radiograph shows milk-of-calcium bile and a calculus that obstructs the Hartmann pouch.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 10: A plain radiograph of the right upper quadrant that shows curvilinear calcification in 2 hydatid cysts in a patient from a region in which hydatid disease is endemic.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A plain radiograph of the right upper quadrant that shows curvilinear calcification in 2 hydatid cysts in a patient from a region in which hydatid disease is endemic.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 11: This transaxial CT scan of the liver shows a calcified hydatid cyst, which can mimic porcelain gallbladder.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

This transaxial CT scan of the liver shows a calcified hydatid cyst, which can mimic porcelain gallbladder.

(Enlarge Image)

Media file 12: A plain abdominal radiograph of the right upper quadrant of a patient with a history of a hepatic injury that occurred 10 years ago shows curvilinear calcification in 2 mass lesions in the right lobe of the liver.

[ CLOSE WINDOW ]

A plain abdominal radiograph of the right upper quadrant of a patient with a history of a hepatic injury that occurred 10 years ago shows curvilinear calcification in 2 mass lesions in the right lobe of the liver.

More on Porcelain Gallbladder

Overview: Porcelain Gallbladder

Imaging: Porcelain Gallbladder

Follow-up: Porcelain Gallbladder

Multimedia: Porcelain Gallbladder

References

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References

Wolfgang Dähnert. Radiology Review Manual. 6th Edition. Philadelephia: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2006:743.
Berk RN, Armbuster TG, Saltzstein SL. Carcinoma in the porcelain gallbladder. Radiology. Jan 1973;106(1):29-31. [Medline].
Ashur H, Siegal B, Oland Y, Adam YG. Calcified gallbladder (porcelain gallbladder). Arch Surg. May 1978;113(5):594-6. [Medline].
Towfigh S, McFadden DW, Cortina GR, et al. Porcelain gallbladder is not associated with gallbladder carcinoma. Am Surg. Jan 2001;67(1):7-10. [Medline].
Rooholamini SA, Tehrani NS, Razavi MK, Au AH, Hansen GC, Ostrzega N. Imaging of gallbladder carcinoma. Radiographics. Mar 1994;14(2):291-306. [Medline].
Stephen AE, Berger DL. Carcinoma in the porcelain gallbladder: a relationship revisited. Surgery. Jun 2001;129(6):699-703. [Medline].
Fataar S, Bassiony H, Satyanath S, et al. Radiologically visible gallbladder calcification due to schistosomiasis. Br J Radiol. Sep 1990;63(753):706-9. [Medline].
Casteel HB, Williamson SL, Golladay ES, Fiedorek SC. Porcelain gallbladder in a child: a case report and review. J Pediatr Surg. Dec 1990;25(12):1302-3. [Medline].
Petrov NN, Krotkina NA. Experimental Carcinoma of the Gallbladder : Supplementary Data. Ann Surg. Feb 1947;125(2):241-8. [Medline].
Rifkin MD, Kurtz AB, Wechsler RJ. Detection of liver and gallbladder calcification. Am Fam Physician. Jan 1984;29(1):247-50. [Medline].
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Scheiner JD, Dupuy DE. Porcelain gallbladder detected on bone scan. Clin Nucl Med. Dec 1998;23(12):845-6. [Medline].
Snajdauf J, Petru O, Pýcha K, Rygl M, Kalousová J, Keil R. Porcelain gallbladder with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction in a child. Pediatr Surg Int. Mar 2006;22(3):293-6. [Medline].
Besic LR, Krawzoff G, Tiesengo MF. Limy Bile Syndrome. JAMA. Jul 19 1965;193:245-6. [Medline].
Cornell CM, Clarke R. Vicarious calcification involving the gallbladder. Ann Surg. Feb 1959;149(2):267-72. [Medline].
Cunningham SC, Alexander HR. Porcelain gallbladder and cancer: ethnicity explains a discrepant literature?. Am J Med. Apr 2007;120(4):e17-8. [Medline].
Daly BD, Cheung H, Arnold M, Metreweli C. Ultrasound in the diagnosis of gall-bladder carcinoma in Chinese patients. Clin Radiol. Jul 1993;48(1):41-4. [Medline].
Etala E. Cancer de la vesicular biliar. Pensa Med Argent. 1962;49:2283.
FAHIM RB, McDONALD JR, RICHARDS JC, FERRIS DO. Carcinoma of the gallbladder: a study of its modes of spread. Ann Surg. Jul 1962;156:114-24. [Medline].
Holden WS, Turner MJ. Disappearing limy bile. Clin Radiol. Oct 1972;23(4):500-7. [Medline].
Kane RA, Jacobs R, Katz J, Costello P. Porcelain gallbladder: ultrasound and CT appearance. Radiology. Jul 1984;152(1):137-41. [Medline].
Kwon AH, Inui H, Matsui Y, Uchida Y, Hukui J, Kamiyama Y. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with porcelain gallbladder based on the preoperative ultrasound findings. Hepatogastroenterology. Jul-Aug 2004;51(58):950-3. [Medline].
Oschner SF, Carrera GM. Calcification of the gallbladder (porcelain gallbladder). AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1963;89:847.
Parker GW, Joffe N. Calcifying primary mucus-producing adenocarcinoma of the gall-bladder. Br J Radiol. Jun 1972;45(534):468-9. [Medline].
Polk HC Jr. Carcinoma and the calcified gall bladder. Gastroenterology. Apr 1966;50(4):582-5. [Medline].
Takeda K, Sekido H, Sugita M, Tanaka K, Endo I, Togo S. Porcelain gallbladder complicated with pancreas divisum. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Surg. 2006;13(6):580-3. [Medline].

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Keywords

calcified gallbladder, calcifying cholecystitis, cholecystopathia chronica calcarea, blue gallbladder wall, gallbladder discoloration, brittle gallbladder, calcified gallbladder, gallbladder wall calcification

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Ali Nawaz Khan, MBBS, FRCS, FRCP, FRCR, LRCP, Chairman of Medical Imaging, Professor of Radiology, NGHA, King Fahad National Guard Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Ali Nawaz Khan, MBBS, FRCS, FRCP, FRCR, LRCP is a member of the following medical societies: American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Radiological Society of North America, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of the United States, Royal College of Radiologists, and Royal College of Surgeons of England
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Margaret Aird, MBChB, FRCR, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, Wythenshawe Hospital
Margaret Aird, MBChB, FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: British Institute of Radiology, British Medical Association, and Royal College of Radiologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Sumaira MacDonald, MBChB, PhD, MRCP, FRCR, Lecturer, Sheffield University Medical School; Endovascular Fellow, Sheffield Vascular Institute
Sumaira MacDonald, MBChB, PhD, MRCP, FRCR is a member of the following medical societies: British Medical Association, Royal College of Physicians, and Royal College of Radiologists
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David Sherlock, MBBS, FRCS, Consulting Staff, Department of Surgery, North Manchester General Hospital, Christie Hospital
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Neela Lamki, MD, Professor, Department of Radiology, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman; Adjunct Professor, Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Bernard D Coombs, MB, ChB, PhD, Consulting Staff, Department of Specialist Rehabilitation Services, Hutt Valley District Health Board, New Zealand
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Abraham H Dachman, MD, FACR, Professor, Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago School of Medicine; Director of CT, Department of Radiology, The University of Chicago Hospitals
Abraham H Dachman, MD, FACR is a member of the following medical societies: Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: EZ-EM, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; iCAD, Inc. Consulting fee Consulting; Philips Medical Grant/research funds Other; iCAD, Inc. Grant/research funds Other; GE Healtcare, Inc. Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Robert M Krasny, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute
Robert M Krasny, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Roentgen Ray Society and Radiological Society of North America
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

John Karani, MBBS, FRCR, Consulting Staff, Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, London
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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eMedicine Specialties > Radiology > Gastrointestinal

Porcelain Gallbladder: Multimedia

Multimedia

A plain abdominal radiograph that shows a right upper quadrant pyriform opaque mass with curvilinear calcification; this finding suggests porcelain gallbladder.

On this sonogram, a calcified gallbladder mass appears as a hyperechoic semilunar structure with complete, posterior acoustic shadowing. The appearance is similar to that of a scarred gallbladder filled with calculi (same patient as in Image 1).

This CT scan obtained in a patient with nonbiliary symptoms shows a partial gallbladder wall calcification that suggests porcelain gallbladder.

A sonogram obtained through the gallbladder fossa that shows an irregular clump of echoes with partial shadowing (same patient as in Image 3).

A transaxial enhanced CT scan of a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a partially calcified gallbladder (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 6-8).

A transaxial enhanced CT scan in a 60-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain shows a break in the gallbladder wall (arrow). At laparotomy and histology, an infiltrating adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder was confirmed (same patient as in Images 5-7).

This plain abdominal radiograph shows milk-of-calcium bile and a calculus that obstructs the Hartmann pouch.

A plain radiograph of the right upper quadrant that shows curvilinear calcification in 2 hydatid cysts in a patient from a region in which hydatid disease is endemic.

This transaxial CT scan of the liver shows a calcified hydatid cyst, which can mimic porcelain gallbladder.

A plain abdominal radiograph of the right upper quadrant of a patient with a history of a hepatic injury that occurred 10 years ago shows curvilinear calcification in 2 mass lesions in the right lobe of the liver.

More on Porcelain Gallbladder

References

Further Reading

Keywords

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Coauthor(s)

Medical Editor

Pharmacy Editor

Managing Editor

CME Editor

Chief Editor