MR imaging in clinically suspected acute cholecystitis - A comparison withultrasonography

Purpose: The diagnostic value of fast pulse sequences in MR imaging was com pared with US in patients with clinically suspected acute cholecystitis. Material and Methods: In a prospective study of 94 patients, 35 were examin ed with both MR and US within 24 h. Results: MR diagnoses were acute cholecystitis in 23, gallbladder and commo n bile duct stones in 3, other pathologic conditions of the abdomen in 7 an d normal in 2 patients. US diagnoses were acute cholecystitis in 17, gallbl adder stones in 8, other pathologic conditions of the abdomen in 2, normal in 5 and non-conclusive in 3 patients. Conclusion: MR has a higher sensitivity than US for diagnosing acute cholec ystitis and, with increased accessibility, may be the first imaging method.