Ultrasound criteria for T1b or T2 gallbladder carcinoma

What is it about?

Ultrasound criteria for T1b or T2 gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) are described. A protruded lesion without a deep hypoechoic area but with a conically thickened outermost hyperechoic layer corresponds to T1b carcinoma. In contrast, a protruded lesion with both a deep hypoechoic area and a conically thickened outermost hyperechoic layer corresponds to shallow T2 carcinoma (subserosal invasion depth ≤ 2 mm). A deep hypoechoic area represents an adenocarcinoma invading subserosa, accompanied by abundant fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, regardless of the characteristics of the outermost hyperechoic layer. Furthermore, the presence of a deep hypoechoic area is more significant than a thinned nor a split outermost hyperechoic layer in diagnosing the depth of carcinoma invasion.

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Photo by Hans Veth on Unsplash

Photo by Hans Veth on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Patients with early (T1) GBC have a good postoperative prognosis. Furthermore, radical resection provides a favorable prognosis for patients with shallow T2 GBC

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