Biliary sludge: a well defined sonographic entity

ABSTRACT

Objetives Identify the present of biliary sludge (BS) in our patients, since different authors have concluded that this entity may be an etiologic agent of biliary colic, gallbladder stones and some complications such as acute pancreatitis and acalculous cholecystitis. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the abdominal sonographic reports of 2802 patients of our gastroenterologic unit, with an average age of 40.5 years. The variables of the protocol were gallbladder stones, BS and acute and chronic gallbladder inflammation. Results: Considering the mentioned criteria, we entered to the study 2682 patients. 17.8 per cent (n=479) had lithiasis, 13.2 per cent (n=356) had BS, 2 per cent (n=54) had acute gallbladder inflammation and 2.3 per cent (n=64) had chronic gallbladder inflammation. Of the group of patients with BS 42.7 per cent (n=152) were female and 57.3 per cent (n=204) were males. 52 per cent of the patients with BS were between the ages of 26 to 45 years. Conclusions: In our study we found an important prevalence of BS that was over 13 per cent which is higher than the results reported by additional series. Its early sonographic detection, follow-up, removal of precipitating factors and treatment are all adequate measures in order to achieve its elimination. (AU)