Sitting just under your liver is a small, pear-shaped organ that stores and releases bile produced by the liver — the fluid that enables your body to assimilate fats. Supporting a healthy digestive system, the gallbladder connects to other organs through the biliary tract, with bile ducts shuttling bile from the liver to the small intestine1.
Similar to other organs, the gallbladder is susceptible to diseases such as gallbladder carcinoma or gallbladder cancer. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans can help detect cancerous lesions in the gallbladder2,3.
Read on to learn more about MRI of the gallbladder and how to prepare for one.
What Is an MRI of the Gallbladder?
Detailed images from an MRI scan of the gallbladder and bile ducts may show the presence of
- Gallstones
- Cancer
- Polyps
- Abnormalities in bile flow or concentration
These images aid healthcare practitioners in prescribing effective treatment for patients.
Understanding MRI Results for Common Gallbladder Conditions
MRI results are analyzed by trained radiologists who can spot the differences between healthy and diseased tissue. MRIs can be useful for distinguishing various gallbladder conditions based on differences in brightness and specific shapes that appear in the images.
What Do Different Gallbladder Problems Look Like on an MRI?
There are many things a radiologist can see on an MRI image that can indicate the presence of issues like gallbladder carcinoma and gallstones. This includes:
- A solid mass or necrotic (dying) tissue in the gallbladder
- Thickening of the wall of the gallbladder
- Polyp-like growths
- Large lesions replacing all or part of the gallbladder
Cancers typically appear brighter or darker than the surrounding healthy tissue depending on the type of MRI imaging used5,6. Gallstones also appear as masses in the gallbladder, but their signal intensity and their shape may help radiologists distinguish them from cancer7,8.
Why Would a Clinician Order an MRI Scan of the Gallbladder?
A healthcare practitioner may order a gallbladder MRI scan to uncover the cause of unexplained abdominal pain, which may point to hidden gallstones, biliary tract infections, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or an untreated case of pancreatitis9. In addition to CT scans or X-rays, health practitioners often use MRI images to aid in the diagnosis of gallbladder disease.
Once an imaging test has been conducted, the health practitioner uses the images to help inform their understanding of the patient’s symptoms and decide whether surgery to remove the gallbladder, called a cholecystectomy, is necessary.
Common Diseases Impacting the Gallbladder
Disorders of the gallbladder can be quite painful and may lead to other health concerns10. Below are a few common gallbladder disorders, as well as how an MRI scan may be used with each type:
- According to a 2020 study, the incidence of gallstone-related disease in the Western world is rising8. Gallstones are solid particles, collections of cholesterol, bilirubin, or a combination of the two that can form inside the gallbladder or within the bile ducts of the liver. They may migrate from the gallbladder to ducts of the biliary tract, including the hepatic duct, the common bile duct, the pancreatic duct, and the cystic duct. Gallstones can obstruct a healthy flow of bile and cause various symptoms, from biliary colic to gallbladder jaundice and acute pancreatitis. An MRI of the gallbladder, along with blood tests, helps to diagnose gallstones and related pathological processes8,11.
- Cholecystitis, or acute inflammation, is the most common disorder of the gallbladder12. With symptoms of fever, pain, and leukocytosis (or elevated white blood cell count), this disorder is associated with obstructions in the gallbladder neck, pancreatic duct, or cystic duct. An MRI scan helps clinicians track cholecystitis, aiding treatment.
- Biliary debris, or sludge, is a mixture of particulate solids from an overconcentration of bile in the gallbladder13. While biliary sludge is often asymptomatic, it should not be ignored in patients with symptoms of biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, or pancreatitis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) imaging has been used to detect sludge; however, cost, contraindications, and patient cooperation may limit the use of MRCP in biliary sludge detection14.
- In oncology, or the study of cancer, gallbladder carcinoma is known as a type of gallbladder cancer. Imaging may reveal an intraluminal mass, an irregular thickening of the gallbladder wall, or a large mass lesion replacing the entire gallbladder6.
- Gallbladder adenomyomatosis refers to the unnatural thickening of the gallbladder wall15. This disorder may lead to abdominal pain or hepatic colic if left untreated. Gallbladder adenomyomatosis can sometimes be confused with gallbladder carcinoma. An MRI scan, along with other imaging modalities, is used to determine the precise disorder and follow up on any changes in the gallbladder wall after treatment.
Benefits of an MRI of the Gallbladder
A timely and accurate assessment is important in gallbladder treatment planning, especially for potential tumors or large gallstones16,17.
An MRI scan may help differentiate between benign and malignant gallbladder disorders, potentially aiding in surgery direction and precluding patients who may not benefit from surgery5. A 2021 study reported that early MRI scans might be useful in determining the origin of lesions in the gallbladder, which is an important piece of information clinicians may take into account when determining the course of treatment5. Besides diagnosis, MRI can help determine the size of the tumor or lesion in the organ and detect possible spread beyond the gallbladder18.
Risks Associated With an MRI of the Gallbladder
There may be two instances of potential discomfort for patients undergoing a gallbladder MRI:
- The radiologist or medical professional may require the patient to receive an injection of a contrast dye such as Gadolinium to assist in cholangiography (examination of the gallbladder and surrounding areas)19. This injection helps bile ducts and the gallbladder show up more clearly on MRI images. In rare cases, some people may experience discomfort at the injection point or have an allergic reaction to the contrast dye20.
- Since the MRI requires the patient to be placed into a large tube-like machine and lie still during the entire process, some patients may find the procedure uncomfortable21. However, MRI scanners today have wide openings and are fully lit and ventilated, ensuring better comfort for the duration of the scan.
Typical Time and Cost of Screening
The average cost of an abdominal MRI, including imaging tests of your gallbladder and pancreas, is about $570 in the United States, depending on the location, with an additional $100 to $300 for the use of a contrast dye22,23. Multiple factors determine the cost of an MR imaging test. Uninsured patients may pay more than insured ones, and outpatient clinics may charge less for the same scan compared to an inpatient facility. The location also affects out-of-pocket costs for an MRI.
A full MRI scan of the gallbladder may take between 30 and 60 minutes to complete. Factors that determine the length of an MRI scan include24:
- Number of scans needed for a diagnosis
- Area of the body to be scanned
- Need for contrast dye injection
How To Prepare for an MRI Scan
An MRI scan may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Prepare for your MRI by completing the following beforehand25:
- Take the MRI screening questionnaire: Most MRI facilities require patients to record their medical history, such as pregnancy, medications being taken, or other health conditions, prior to the imaging test.
- Inform the radiologist of any metal implants: Since MRI utilizes strong magnetic and radio waves to examine your body, metal items in your body, such as knee replacements or pacemakers, may be impacted.
- Arrive early for the exam: Give yourself around 30 minutes to prepare for the MRI. After checking in for your MRI, you may be asked to:
- Change into a hospital gown
- Remove all jewelry, hearing aids, and other metal items on your body
- Receive an IV of a contrasting agent to help with the imaging
- Lie completely still during the MRI exam
- Put on earplugs or headphones to protect your ears from intermittent loud noises
For more information, refer to the FAQs on preparing for an Ezra MRI screening.
Gallbladder Screening: A Step Toward Long-Lasting Health
The gallbladder is a small yet powerful organ within your body. To protect your gallbladder from possible cancers, consider a routine health screening.
Ezra’s full-body MRI screening provides a picture of your overall health, allowing you to scan your gallbladder and 13 other organs in less than an hour. Book an Ezra Full Body today.
By repeating these scans, health professionals can monitor a patient’s body over time, allowing them to follow up on their well-being and detect potential abnormalities early. Such proactive measures may lead to lifesaving consequences. Gift a scan to a family member or friend.
