Sonography of the normal pediatric gallbladder and biliary tract

Fifty-one pediatric patients (range, 1 mo. to 16 yr.), all of whom had normal clinical findings and laboratory data pertaining to the gallbladder and biliary tract, were examined by ultrasound. Scans showed a gradual increase in the size of the gallbladder with age; only one patient had a gallbladder diameter greater than 3.5 cm or a length greater than 7.5 cm. Wall thickness could be measured in 45 patients and was never more than 3 mm. The lumen of the common hepatic duct gradually increased with age but was never greater than 4 mm. The right portal vein also showed a gradual increase with age.