Interpretation of the Gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for risk stratification of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography: an international expert consensus / 中华消化外科杂志

In February 2022, the world′s first gallbladder reporting and data system (GB-RADS) for the assessment of gallbladder wall thickening on ultrasonography was published in the form of an international expert consensus. The GB-RADS system classifies gallbladder wall thickening into six levels (GB-RADS 0?5), with gradually increasing risk of malignancy. It is mainly based on the following features: symmetry and extent (focal versus circumferential) of involvement, layered appearance, intramural features (including intramural cysts and echogenic foci), and interface with the liver. The proposed system is important for the standardized diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder diseases. The authors interpret the consensus, introduce the evaluation points and classification standards, and suggest the future applications and research directions.

Adequate Management of Gallbladder Wall Thickening / 대한내과학회지

Thickening of the gallbladder wall is a relatively frequent finding on diagnostic imaging. Such thickening is also a common but nonspecific finding in many patients with intrinsic gallbladder disease and extracholecystic conditions. Wall thickening may be diagnostically problematic, occurring (as it does) in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and in those with and without indications for cholecystectomy. An important first step is to distinguish between the diffuse and focal forms of thickening. Subsequently, identification of ancillary imaging findings and the directed use of additional imaging modalities allow accurate diagnosis. This is of clinical importance. Misinterpretation of the cause of thickening can trigger unnecessary cholecystectomies in patients without intrinsic gallbladder disease. Also, misdiagnosis of patients who do in fact require cholecystectomy may delay treatment, thus increasing morbidity. Although a definitive imaging diagnosis may not be possible, the cause of gallbladder wall thickening can be determined in most instances by correlating the clinical presentation with associated imaging findings.

Acalculous Diffuse Gallbladder Wall Thickening in Children / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Gallbladder (GB) wall thickening can be found in various conditions unrelated to intrinsic GB disease. We investigated the predisposing etiologies and the outcome of acalculous GB wall thickening in children. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 67 children with acalculous GB wall thickening who had visited our institute from June 2010 to June 2013. GB wall thickening was defined as a GB wall diameter >3.5 mm on abdominal ultrasound examination or computed tomography. Underlying diseases associated with GB wall thickening, treatment, and outcomes were studied. RESULTS: There were 36 boys and 31 girls (mean age, 8.5+/-4.8 years [range, 7 months-16 years]). Systemic infection in 24 patients (35.8%), acute hepatitis in 18 (26.9%), systemic disease in 11 (16.4%), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in 4 (6.0%), acute pancreatitis in 3 (4.5%), and specific liver disease in 3 (4.5%) predisposed patients to GB wall thickening. Systemic infections were caused by bacteria in 10 patients (41.7%), viruses in 5 patients (20.8%), and fungi in 2 patients (8.3%). Systemic diseases observed were systemic lupus erythematosus in 2, drug-induced hypersensitivity in 2, congestive heart failure in 2, renal disorder in 2. Sixty-one patients (91.0%) received symptomatic treatments or treatment for underlying diseases. Five patients (7.5%) died from underlying diseases. Cholecystectomy was performed in 3 patients during treatment of the underlying disease. CONCLUSION: A wide range of extracholecystic conditions cause diffuse GB wall thickening that resolves spontaneously or with treatment of underlying diseases. Surgical treatments should be avoided if there are no definite clinical manifestations of cholecystitis.

A Case of Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis Superimposed on the Nephrotic Syndrome

The nephrotic syndrome is characterized by generalized edema, hypoproteinemia(40 mg/m2/hr), and hypercholesterolemia(>200 mg/dL). It is reported that hypoalbuminemia, which is one of the four diagnostic criteria of the nephrotic syndrome, is associated with gallbladder wall thickening. An explanation for the thickened wall in hypoalbuminemic states is the accumulation of fluid in the subserosal layer of the gallbladder wall which contains the most areolar tissue. This report describes a patient who was initially diagnosed with the nephrotic syndrome at the age of 4 and subsequently developed acute acalculous cholecystitis at the age of 5.8 with an albumin level of 1.3 g/dL. The patient responded to fluid therapy, nasogastric suction, and broad spectrum antibiotics.

Intramural Hypoattenuated Nodules in Thickened Wall of the Gallbladder: CT Features According to Their Primary Causes

According to published reports, a common feature of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is the presence of intramural hypoattenuated nodules in thickened gallbladder wall. These nodules can, however, also be seen in pathological conditions such as acute cholecystitis, hyperplastic cholecystoses (cholesterolosis and adenomyomatosis), gallbladder cancer, and other inflammatory diseases such as tuberculosis. Retrospective review of the abdominal CT findings in 622 patients who for various reasons underwent cholecystectomy during a one-year period showed that intramural nodules were present in 60. In this pictorial essay we illustrate the imaging features of the many different pathological conditions which give rise to intramural hypoattenuated nodules in thickened wall of the gallbladder, correlating these features with the histopathological findings.