J Korean Soc Magn Reson Med.  2012 Dec;16(3):266-270. 10.13104/jksmrm.2012.16.3.266.

Small Cell Carcinoma of the Gallbladder: A Case Report

• Shin HS
• Lee YH
• Lim SW
• Choi SS
• Choi GH

• KMID: 2099864
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.13104/jksmrm.2012.16.3.266

Abstract

Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder is a type of neuroendocrine tumor and very rare. We report ultrasound, CT and MR findings of a small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder that was confirmed by pathology. Small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder was seen as a well-defined mass with peripheral rim enhancement in the gallbladder. In spite of the large size of the mass, direct and extensive invasion of the liver was not detected. However, there were many metastatic lymph nodes.

Keyword

Gallbladder; Neuroendocrine tumor; Small cell carcinoma; Computed tomography (CT); Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Small Cell
Gallbladder
Liver
Lymph Nodes
Neuroendocrine Tumors

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 A 64-year-old man with small cell carcinoma of the gallbladder. a. Abdominal ultrasonography shows irregular shaped, heterogeneous hypoechoic solid mass (arrows) at fundus portion of the gallbladder with well-preserved lumen. b. Contrast enhanced CT image shows the central low attenuated mass (arrows) relative to the liver with peripheral rim enhancement. There are multiple enlarged and conglomerated lymph nodes (arrowheads) with peripheral rim enhancement at hepaticoduodenal ligament. c-f. The well-defined gallbladder mass (white arrow) at fundus portion and conglomerated lymphadenopathy (arrowheads) was shown as a large low signal intensity solid mass on T1-weighted image (c) and slightly high signal intensity relative to the liver parenchyma on T2-weighted axial (d) and coronal image (e). There was no invasion to the hepatic parenchyma. Gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted MR image (f) shows this mass (white arrow) with peripheral rim enhancement. The lumen of the gallbladder (black arrow) is relatively preserved and showed high signal intensity on T1-weighted image (c). There are multiple enlarged lymph nodes (arrowheads) at hepatoduodenal ligament and no hepatic metastasis was noted.

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