Gallbladder

The normal gallbladder typically demonstrates little or no FDG uptake.

Mild to moderate diffuse gallbladder uptake is usually normal.

Intense diffuse gallbladder uptake in an otherwise normal appearing gallbladder often represents normal physiologic uptake. Ultrasound correlation, however, is still typically recommended: “Ultrasound correlation may be of diagnostic value, if clinically warranted.”

Diffuse intense gallbladder uptake associated with wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid or gallstones is suspicious for cholecystitis.  In such cases, ultrasound correlation is strongly recommended, “Ultrasound correlation is recommended in this case to exclude acute cholecystitis.”

While focal intense gallbladder wall uptake can be seen with benign polyps, adenomyomatosis or focal inflammation associated with cholecystitis, malignancy must be excluded.