MRI of the gall bladder

An MRI examination of the bile is always carried out when abnormalities are seen in the ultrasound that cannot be reliably assigned. Even if gallstones have been seen in the gall bladder and especially in the bile duct, an MRI examination should show the exact location of the gallstone. Elevated bile values in the blood count and inconspicuous ultrasound may just as well make an MRI examination of the gallbladder necessary as a mass in the area of the gallbladder wall or in the gallbladder.

Very often, an MRI examination of the gallbladder is also ordered if a blockage of the gallbladder or the bile duct is feared but the cause is not clear. Malignant neoplasms can then be seen very clearly with the help of the MRI examination. It is important to note that there may be delays and long waiting times if an MRI examination is generally decided upon.

Sometimes up to 4 weeks can pass before an appointment for an MRI examination is available. It is important for the family doctor to decide whether this time is sufficient or whether a faster appointment must be found. If an MRI examination of the gallbladder and/or the bile ducts is performed, the examination should be expected to last 10-20 minutes. Often, native images are first taken without contrast medium and then the images are repeated with a quantity of contrast medium released into the veins.

Hemangioma

A hemangioma is a vascular transformation. It can occur in all areas where blood vessels are located. Very often there are hemangiomas in the facial area.

However, they can also occur in the liver area. As a rule, the person affected is unaware of them because they do not cause any symptoms. A first clue is usually provided by a randomly performed ultrasound examination of the abdomen, in which circular whitish spots are seen in the area of the liver.

These spotty changes can usually be classified as a hemangioma simply by a visual diagnosis. If one is not sure, an MRI examination of the liver can also be performed. It is important to distinguish a hemangioma from a liver metastasis.

A hemangioma is harmless and usually does not require treatment. It is also important to observe the size and number of hemangiomas. An ultrasound checkup once a year by the family doctor is usually sufficient.

Hemangiomas in visible areas can be removed surgically for cosmetic reasons. In the area of the internal organs, such as the liver, this does not make sense.If the hemangiomas lie on the liver surface, they can in principle tear open and bleed due to mechanical shear forces. However, this is so rare that prophylactic removal is not recommended.