Ultrasonographic findings of gall bladder in acute viral hepatitis

ABSTRACT

Thirty patients with acute viral hepatitis were studied for ultrasonographic findings of the gall bladder [GB] and for detection of patients with cholecystitis-like presentations within the first week of diagnosis. Patients were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, laboratory and serological investigations, in addition to real time abdominal ultrasonography. Serologically, patients were classified into 3 groups hepatitis-A virus [HAV] group; 16 patients [53%], hepatitis-B virus [HBV] group; 8 patients [27%], and hepatitis-C virus [HCV] group; 6 patients [20%]. The commonest ultrasonographic finding was increased GB wall thickness [GBWT], in 23 / 30 patients [76.7%]. It was more evident in patients with HAV. Twenty out of 23 patients [86.9%] with GBWT,exhibited clinical presentation similar to that of acute noncalcular cholecystitis, the so called; cholecystitis-like presentations. It was concluded that; GB wall thickening with cholecystitis - like presentations seemed to be more common in patients with acute viral hepatitis, particularly; HAV infection. Acute viral hepatitis must be considered as an underlying cause in patients with ultrasonographic diagnosis of acute non-calcular cholecystitis. Ultrasonography follow-up of GB changes associated with acute viral hepatitis is recommended