Correlation between ultrasonographic imaging of the gallbladder and gallbladder content in eleven cholecystectomised dogs and their prognoses.

A comparison was performed between preoperative ultrasonographic and macroscopic findings for gallbladders and their contents in eleven dogs that were found to have any content in the gallbladder and then underwent cholecystectomy. In addition, correlation was considered between prognosis and age, hematologic analysis, serum biochemical analysis and ultrasonographic findings. Ultrasonographic findings of the gallbladder were classified into 3 patterns: 1) hyperechoic content filling the entire gallbladder and precipitated immobile content, 2) a somewhat thinner hypoechoic area in the exterior layer with a less distinctive border adjacent to the internal hyperechoic area than pattern 3 with moth-eaten or mosaic-form hypoechoic portions scattered within the internal hyperechoic area and 3) a thick hypoechoic area in the exterior layer with a distinctive border adjacent to a prominent internal hyperechoic area.