What causes gallbladder walls to thicken?

What causes gallbladder walls to thicken?

Hypoalbuminemia and sepsis are additional causes of gallbladder wall thickening. The degree of gallbladder wall thickening may be pronounced (> 10 mm) in liver or systemic diseases, and when coexisting gallbladder distention is absent, a cause other than acute cholecystitis is likely (Fig. 14).

What is abnormal gallbladder wall thickening?

Thickening of the gallbladder wall is a relatively frequent finding at diagnostic imaging studies. Historically, a thick-walled gallbladder has been regarded as proof of primary gallbladder disease, and it is a well-known hallmark feature of acute cholecystitis.

How do you treat a thick gallbladder?

Treatments may include:

1. Fasting, to rest the gallbladder.
2. IV fluids to prevent dehydration.
3. Pain medication.
4. Antibiotics to treat infection.
5. Removing the gallbladder.
6. Draining the gallbladder to treat and prevent the spread of infection.
7. Removing gallstones in the area blocking the common bile duct.

Does pancreatitis cause gallbladder wall thickening?

wall thickening, in acute pancreatitis. In this non-selected material of acute pancreatitis there was a gallbladder wall thickening in about 20 per cent of cases. The abnormality was found in both biliary and alcoholic pancreatitis.

Can gallbladder wall thickening be reversed?

Mild gallbladder wall thickening is conventionally defined as 4-7 mm. Previous studies have reported thickening of up to 6 mm in acute hepatitis [5], [6]; however, we present a case of extreme, generalized thickening of more than 33 mm on CT imaging, which completely resolves on follow-up scan 6 weeks later.

Is gallbladder wall thickening symptoms?

Chronic cholecystitis may cause intermittent mild abdominal pain, or no symptoms at all. Damage to the walls of the gallbladder leads to a thickened, scarred gallbladder. Ultimately, the gallbladder can shrink and lose its ability to store and release bile.

What is normal gallbladder wall thickness?

Patients were divided into four groups based on the degree of gallbladder wall thickness: normal (1-2 mm), mildly thickened (3-4 mm), moderately thickened (5-6 mm), and severely thickened (7 mm and above).