ARDMS AB-Abdomen Exam - Topic 3 Question 6 Discussion

The image demonstrates a gallbladder with a possible echogenic focus (likely a gallstone) and posterior acoustic shadowing. This is suggestive of cholelithiasis. To differentiate uncomplicated gallstones from acute cholecystitis, the most effective technique is to assess for a positive sonographic Murphy sign.

A positive sonographic Murphy sign refers to the presence of focal tenderness over the gallbladder when it is directly palpated with the ultrasound transducer. It is a strong indicator of acute cholecystitis when combined with other features such as gallbladder wall thickening, pericholecystic fluid, and gallstones.

Sonographic Murphy sign --- key points:

Assessed during real-time scanning

Localized tenderness when pressure is applied over the gallbladder

Highly sensitive for acute cholecystitis (especially in the presence of stones)

Differentiation from other options:

A . Use compound imaging: Improves image quality by reducing artifacts but does not verify tenderness or confirm acute inflammation.

B . Change the patient's position: Helpful to confirm mobility of gallstones, but not diagnostic of inflammation.

C . Ask patient to perform Valsalva: Used primarily in vascular studies (e.g., assessing for varicocele or venous reflux), not relevant here.

Rumack CM, Wilson SR, Charboneau JW, Levine D. Diagnostic Ultrasound. 5th Edition. Elsevier, 2018. Chapter: Gallbladder and Biliary System, pp. 148--152.

AIUM Practice Parameter for the Performance of an Ultrasound Examination of the Abdomen and/or Retroperitoneum, 2020.

Radiopaedia.org. Sonographic Murphy sign: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/sonographic-murphy-sign