Ultrasonographic features of primary carcinoma of the gallbladder: report of five cases.

The sonographic features of primary carcinoma of the gallbladder in five patients are presented. Two sonographic patterns were seen depending on whether or not the lumen of the gallbladder was visualized. In two patients the gallbladder lumen was visualized and an irregular fixed nonshadowing soft tissue mass was seen arising from the wall and projecting into the lumen. In the remaining three patients a solid mass was seen in the predicted location of the gallbladder without visualization of gallbladder lumen. Ancillary findings such as local involvement of liver and signs of biliary obstruction supported the diagnosis.