Gallstones (cholelithiasis) are one of the most common conditions evaluated by abdominal sonography. Ultrasound is the gold standard for gallstone detection, offering high sensitivity and specificity without radiation exposure. Gallstones appear as echogenic foci with posterior acoustic shadowing within the gallbladder lumen.
Sonographic Findings
Classic sonographic features include an echogenic focus that moves with patient positioning (mobile), casts a posterior acoustic shadow, and is located within the gallbladder. Complications such as acute cholecystitis may show a sonographic Murphy’s sign, gallbladder wall thickening, and pericholecystic fluid.