Acute cholecystitis occurs when a gallstone becomes lodged in the cystic duct, trapping bile inside the gallbladder and causing it to swell and become inflamed. Ultrasound is the first-line imaging test for this condition and typically shows gallstones, gallbladder wall thickening greater than 3 millimeters, pericholecystic fluid, and a positive sonographic Murphy sign, which means the patient feels sharp pain when the ultrasound probe presses directly over the gallbladder. This combination of findings is highly accurate for diagnosing acute cholecystitis. Most patients require surgical removal of the gallbladder, called a cholecystectomy, to prevent complications like perforation or abscess formation.
Sonography Term