UTILITY OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY IN GALL BLADDER PATHOLOGIES

Background: Gallbladder diseases are a signicant health burden worldwide, with higher prevalence in women and in Indian populations. Ultrasonography (USG) is considered the rst-line imaging modality owing to its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and high diagnostic accuracy. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of gallbladder pathologies with clinicopathological correlation. Methods: A crosssectional observational study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore, over 18 months (June 2023–November 2024). Forty patients with clinically suspected gallbladder disease underwent ultrasonographic evaluation using high-resolution transabdominal scanners. Findings were correlated with histopathology and clinical follow-up. Statistical analysis included descriptive measures and Chi-square testing, with p <0.05 considered signicant. Results: The mean age of patients was 46.2 ± 7.5 years (range 30–70), with a female predominance (65%). The most common symptom was right upper quadrant pain (75%), followed by nausea/vomiting (45%) and fever (25%). USG identied cholelithiasis in 57.5%, acute cholecystitis in 15%, chronic cholecystitis in 10%, benign lesions in 7.5%, and carcinoma in 10% of cases. Histopathology conrmed 21/23 gallstone cases, 5/6 acute cholecystitis, 3/4 chronic cholecystitis, and 3/4 carcinomas. One carcinoma was missed (false negative), and one was overdiagnosed (false positive). The diagnostic efcacy of USG for carcinoma showed sensitivity 75%, specicity 97.2%, PPV 75%, NPV 97.2%, and overall accuracy 95%. Stage-wise, 75% of carcinomas presented in advanced stages (III/IV). Conclusion: Ultrasonography remains a highly effective, non-invasive modality for diagnosing gallstones and inammatory gallbladder disease. While its sensitivity for early carcinoma detection is limited, it demonstrates high accuracy in advanced disease, making it indispensable in resourcelimited settings. These ndings reafrm USG as the cornerstone for initial evaluation and management of gallbladder pathologies.