[Diffuse thickening of the gallbladder wall detectable during echography]

Echographic examination of 3900 patients showed enlargement of the gallbladder wall in 3.5%. It was seen not only in cholecystitis but also in diffuse liver injury, portal hypertension, chronic heart failure and in other pathological conditions. Examples are given of 3 different sonographic versions of enlargement of the gallbladder wall. In some patients' groups (with diffuse liver injury, chronic heart failure, portal hypertension), a correlation was established between the thickness of the gallbladder wall and the diameter of the portal vein. It is assumed that echographic demonstration of the enlarged gallbladder wall in patients with diffuse liver injury may serve an early sign of portal hypertension.