Ultrasonic nonvisualization of the gallbladder in emphysematous cholecystitis. Case report.

In a patient with suspected acute cholecystitis, ultrasonography-although repeated-failed to visualize the gallbladder. Corresponding to the gallbladder fossa there was an area of high-density echoes casting a shadow posteriorly, but the examination was considered inconclusive because the gallbladder was not visualized. Plain abdominal radiographs established the diagnosis of acute emphysematous cholecystitis.