[Determining the size of the gallbladder with ultrasound--methods and results]

By ultrasound undistorted two-dimensional pictures of gallbladder sections can be obtained. Determinations of size are performed either from one or from several well defined sonographic images. Studies of gallbladder contraction require at least 2 exposures: usually pictures of the "largest longitudinal section" are taken in the fasting state and 30 min after a stimulus (meal, hormones); for evaluation images are measured and compared. Estimations of gallbladder volume require at least 2 sonographic pictures of the gallbladder. We performed measurements in 250 patients. In most cases fasting volumes were between 10 and 25 ml and between 33 and 40 ml. There was a positive correlation with age and with body weight. Patients with cholelithiasis had larger gallbladder volumes than healthy controls. In 10 persons evacuation and filling of gallbladder after a meal was followed by serial measurements: maximal contraction was found between 20 and 45 min; original volumes were then reached after 180 min.