What is gangrenous cholecystitis, and what are its CT and MRI features?
Gangrenous cholecystitis is a severe, advanced form of acute cholecystitis with ischemic necrosis of the gallbladder wall, which is associated with a higher rate of gallbladder perforation. This cholecystitis occurs more commonly in elderly men and in individuals with preexisting cardiovascular disease.
CT and MRI findings include marked gallbladder wall thickening and distention; intraluminal membranes; intraluminal hemorrhage; irregularity or absence of the gallbladder wall; and lack of gallbladder wall enhancement. Gas may also sometimes be seen within the gallbladder wall or lumen, and a pericholecystic abscess may be seen with gallbladder perforation.
