Sarcopenia in gallbladder perforation: a radiological comparison study

Gallbladder perforation (GBP) is a life-threatening complication of acute cholecystitis (AC). Sarcopenia and visceral adiposity have been associated with adverse outcomes in AC and other surgical or emergency settings, but their relationship with GBP subtype and management remains unclear.

To evaluate the association of sarcopenia and visceral adiposity with GBP type, treatment preferences, and overall mortality.

This retrospective study analyzed patients diagnosed with GBP between 2019 and 2024. Body composition parameters including skeletal muscle index (SMI), intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), and visceral-to-subcutaneous fat ratio (VSR) were measured from computed tomography (CT) images at L3 vertebral level. Logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to assess associations with clinical outcomes.

The study included 89 adult GBP patients: 22 (24.7%) type 1 and 67 (75.3%) type 2. The mean age was 68.4 (± 14.5) years, with 62.9% male and 37.1% female. 37.1% had low-SMI, 51.7% had high-IMAC, and 31.5% had high-VSR. Urgent surgery was a treatment option in 58.4% patients, followed by percutaneous cholecystostomy catheter drainage (PCCD) in 31.5% patients. Low-SMI was independently associated with type 2 GBP (adjusted OR: 6.842, 95%CI: 1.4-34.1 p = 0.019). PCCD was more frequently preferred in patients with low-SMI, whereas urgent surgery was more commonly performed in those with normal SMI (p = 0.001). Total mortality was higher in low-SMI group in univariate analysis (p = 0.015), though not significant in multivariate analysis.

Sarcopenia was linked to subacute (type 2) perforation and lower rates of surgical intervention, and its early detection on CT may support risk stratification and clinical management of GBP.