Magnetic resonance imaging findings in emphysematous cholecystitis

The use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the evaluation of biliary disease has increased rapidly in recent years. New developments, such as breath-hold, single-shot techniques have enabled shorter imaging times while providing excellent visualization of the biliary system. In the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, MR cholangiography is reportedly comparable with ultrasonography in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Although the MR imaging findings in acute cholecystitis have been described, to our knowledge the MR imaging findings in emphysematous cholecystitis have not yet been reported. We describe a 41-year-old man who was clinically suspected to have cholecystitis and possible choledocholithiasis. He was evaluated initially by MR cholangiography and clinically unsuspected emphysematous cholecystitis was diagnosed and confirmed by computed tomography (CT).