Imaging update on gallbladder adenomyomatosis and its mimics

• Published in: Clinical imaging 2024-01, Vol.105, p.109997-109997, Article 109997
• Main Authors: Bonde, Apurva A., Virarkar, Mayur, Zahid, Mohd, Jaganathan, Sriram, Menendez, Manuel J., Calimano, Luis, Foster, Bryan R., Fritze, Danielle, Thomas, Courtney L., Gupta, Pankaj
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenomyoma - diagnostic imaging; Adenomyomatosis; Cholecystectomy; Cholecystitis; Gallbladder; Gallbladder - diagnostic imaging; Gallbladder - pathology; Gallbladder cancer; Gallbladder Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Gallbladder Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging; Gallbladder Neoplasms - pathology; Humans; Imaging; Multimodal Imaging
• ISSN: 0899-7071; 1873-4499
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2023.109997

Radiologists across many imaging modalities commonly encounter gallbladder adenomyomatosis. The classic imaging appearances of gallbladder adenomyomatosis are well described and confirm benignity. However, in clinical practice, adenomyomatosis can be challenging to differentiate from other gallbladder pathologies that require cholecystectomy. In this article, we describe the common and uncommon appearances of gallbladder adenomyomatosis on multimodality imaging, helping differentiate adenomyomatosis from non-benign gallbladder abnormalities. Accurately differentiating adenomyomatosis from its mimics provides the surgical team with important clinical and surgical management information, improving patient outcomes. •Accurate differentiation of benign gallbladder adenomyomatosis from non-benign mimics is important to avoid an unnecessary cholecystectomy.•Four morphologic patterns of gallbladder adenomyomatosis are seen in imaging, including focal, segmental, annular, and diffuse.•Rokintansky-Ashoff sinuses account for the typical appearance of gallbladder adenomyomatosis on various imaging modalities.•Several imaging modalities aid in the diagnosis of gallbladder adenomyomatosis and the differentiation of its non-benign mimics.