Abstract
We have studied the gallbladder and its contents by ultrasonography in 31 patients with acute viral hepatitis and 23 age-matched controls. Liver cell necrosis was assessed by raised transaminase levels within 24–48 hr of ultrasonography in all patients. Gallbladder wall (GBW) measured 5.16±0.4 mm (mean±sem) in patients and 2.0±0.06 mm in controls (P<0.001). GBW was thickened (>3 mm) in 21 patients (68%), with double wall appearance in 5 (16%), and sludge was seen in the gallbladder cavity in 7 (23%). GBW thickness was significantly related to serum albumin (r=−0.45,P<0.01) and bilirubin (r=0.50,P<0.004), but not to the serum transaminase levels. On repeat measurements after recovery in 13 patients, GBW thickness fell from 5.84±0.49 mm during acute hepatitis to 2.46±0.21 mm (P<0.001).
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Maudgal, D.P., Wansbrough-Jones, M.H. & Joseph, A.E.A. Gallbladder abnormalities in acute infectious hepatitis. Digest Dis Sci 29, 257–260 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01296260
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01296260