[Prenatal diagnosis of gallbladder abnormalities: a review]
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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Extrahepatic Bile Duct and Gall Bladder Dissection in Nine-Day-Old Mouse Neonates
Published on: August 23, 2022
M Matar1, J-M Ayoubi2, O Picone3
1Service de gynécologie obstétrique, hôpital Foch, 40, rue Worth, 92151 Suresnes, France.
Insights
Most fetal gallbladder abnormalities are benign. However, isolated absence of the gallbladder necessitates evaluation for biliary atresia, a severe condition, requiring fetal morphological analysis and genetic testing.
Area of Science:
- Fetal Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Fetal gallbladder abnormalities encompass a spectrum of conditions.
- These range from benign findings to indicators of severe underlying pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the potential consequences of fetal gallbladder abnormalities.
- To outline management strategies for these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed.
- The PubMed database was utilized for publication retrieval.
Main Results:
- The majority of fetal gallbladder abnormalities are benign, including absence, malformation, cholelithiasis, and sludge.
- Isolated absence of the gallbladder warrants suspicion for biliary atresia, a rare but serious disease.
Conclusions:
- Extensive fetal morphological analysis is crucial when gallbladder abnormalities are detected.
- Amniocentesis for karyotype analysis should be offered for absent gallbladder associated with other fetal anomalies.
- Digestive enzyme evaluation is recommended in all cases of absent gallbladder to exclude biliary atresia.
Objectives:
Our objective was to review the possible consequences and management possibilities of fetal gallbladder abnormalities.
Means And Methods:
A search through publications was conducted using the Pubmed database.
Result:
The majority of fetal gallbladder abnormalities are benign (absence, malformation, cholelithiasis, sludge...). When the absence of gallbladder is isolated, biliary tract atresia, that is a rare but severe disease, must be evoked.
Conclusion:
An extensive morphological analysis of the fetus is required in cases with gallbladder abnormalities. An amniocentesis for caryotype analysis must be proposed when an absent gallbladder is associated with other fetal abnormalities and in all cases of absent gallbladder for digestive enzymes evaluation to rule out a biliary atresia.
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