Gallbladder wall thickening at ultrasonography – A review

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present review was providing help for the assessment of the correct interpretation of gallbladder wall thickening and differential diagnosis at ultrasonography Gallbladder wall thickening is a frequent son graphic finding and has been subject of great interest for being considered as a hallmark feature of acute cholecystitis, despite the fact that such a finding is observed in a number of other medical conditions An appropriate characterization and interpretation of ultrasonography finding are of great importance, considering that the correct diagnosis has a direct impact on the treatment that in some cases includes surgery In this article, describe a set of son graphic finding that is an association with the clinical and laboratory findings can reduce the number of diagnostic hypotheses allowing a more accurate establishment of the cause for gallbladder wall thickening through a rational data evaluation Sonography is used as the initial imaging technique for evaluating patients with suspected acute calculus cholecystitis because of its high sensitivity at the detection of GB stones, real-time character, speed, and portability Cholescintigraphy has the highest sensitivity and specificity in the patients who are suspected of having acute cholecystitis The use of cholescintigraphy is limited in clinical practice Due to a combination of reasons including logistic drawbacks, broad imaging capability, and clinician referral pattern CT is particularly useful for evaluating the many complicated cases of acute calculous cholecystitis Relatively high cost of MRI and lack of widespread availability the MRI is prohibits its primary use in the patients with acute calculous cholecystitis The US are currently considered the preferred initial imaging technique for patients who are clinically suspected of having acute calculous cholecystitis