ObjectiveTo analyze the MR findings of primary gallbladder carcinoma so as to improve the diagnostic accuracy. MethodsA retrospective study was developed involving 15 primary gallbladder carcinoma patients identified by postoperative pathology between January 2010 and March 2013. Imaging findings were analyzed including lesions location, enhancement characteristics, the dilatation of bile ducts and gallstones. ResultsAmong the 15 gallbladder carcinoma patients, 5 were misdiagnosed as neoplasms in the porta hepatis combined with dilation of intrahepatic bile ducts. Intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts dilated in 7 patients, which were misdiagnosed as tumors or inflammation. Two cases of gallbladder carcinoma with right lobe mass were misdiagnosed as gallbladder polyps. One patient was misdiagnosed as cholecystitis. The retrospective analysis revealed that the gallbladder wall thickened in 12 cases, with focal thickening in 9 and diffuse thickening in 3 cases. Enhanced scanning demonstrated that gallbladder wall enhanced in varying degrees, and 11 cases had delayed enhancement features. There were 8 patients with gallstones and 2 with gallbladder wall nodules. ConclusionPrimary gallbladder carcinoma can easily cause bile duct dilatation, and manifests as focal or diffuse mural thickening, often accompanied by gallstones.