Imaging Features of Gallbladder Lesions Manifesting Wall Thickening

“Wall thickening” is a frequently observed abnormality in patients with gallbladder diseases including acute or chronic cholecystitis, systemic diseases or conditions, and malignancies. Adding to patient’s clinical features, imaging examinations play an important role in the diagnostic process of gallbladder diseases. Evaluation of characteristics of the thickened wall (edematous or not, smooth or irregular, etc.) is an important step for differential diagnosis. Besides the presence or absence of gallbladder stones, peri-cholecystic involvements or other organ lesions can be clues for correct diagnosis leading to adequate patient management. There are some overlaps of imaging features for each of these conditions though, so knowing characteristic findings and the advantage of each imaging modality is helpful in the process of differential diagnosis of gallbladder diseases. Especially, maximum attention should be paid to the possibility of malignancy.