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Acute cholecystitis is the sudden inflammation of the gallbladder, commonly caused by gallstones obstructing the cystic duct. This common abdominal emergency manifests with severe right upper quadrant pain, fever, and leukocytosis. Ultrasound is the primary diagnostic tool, revealing gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and a sonographic Murphy's sign, crucial for confirming the diagnosis and guiding…

Chronic cholecystitis is persistent inflammation of the gallbladder, often caused by repeated gallstone attacks leading to thickening of the gallbladder wall and scarring. In abdominal ultrasound, this condition typically manifests as a contracted gallbladder with a thickened, often irregular wall, and frequently the presence of gallstones or sludge. Patients may experience recurrent right upper quadrant…

Choledocholithiasis, a common abdominal condition, refers to the presence of gallstones within the common bile duct. These stones can originate in the gallbladder and migrate, or form directly in the duct, leading to bile flow obstruction, inflammation, and potential complications like cholangitis or pancreatitis. Ultrasound is a primary diagnostic tool, often revealing dilated bile ducts…

Biliary dilation, a key finding in abdominal ultrasound, refers to the abnormal widening of the bile ducts. This condition often indicates an obstruction to bile flow, which can be caused by gallstones, tumors, strictures, or inflammation. Ultrasound is a primary imaging modality for detecting biliary dilation, allowing clinicians to visualize the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile…

In abdominal ultrasound, Courvoisier's sign refers to the presence of a palpable, non-tender gallbladder in a patient with painless jaundice. This clinical finding strongly suggests an obstruction of the common bile duct, typically due to a malignancy in the head of the pancreas or bile duct, rather than gallstones. Its presence helps differentiate the cause…