Ultrasonographic evaluation of pericholecystic abscesses.

Pericholecystic abscess formation is a serious complication of cholecystitis that develops after gallbladder perforation and is usually associated with acute inflammatory signs and symptoms. Ultrasonographic findings in three surgically proven cases of pericholecystic abscess are reported. The findings ranged from a well defined band of low-level echoes around the gallbladder to multiple, poorly defined hypoechoic masses surrounding an irregular, indistinct gallbladder outline. The former situation correlated with a well encapsulated pericholecystic inflammatory process, while the latter was associated with extensive abscess formation resulting from gallbladder rupture. Cholelithiasis was identified in two of the three cases. Ultrasound for preoperative detection of pericholecystic abscess is discussed.