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[Morphometric findings of the healthy pediatric gallbladder in ultrasound]
I Theobald1, M Reimer, J Tröger
1Abteilung Radiodiagnostik der Universität Heidelberg.
Insights
Ultrasonography effectively assesses gallbladder function in children. Standardized meals can stimulate gallbladder excretion, with healthy organs expelling at least 25% of fasting volume within an hour.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Hepatobiliary System
Background:
- Gallbladder function assessment is crucial in pediatric diagnostics.
- Standardized ultrasonographic parameters for pediatric gallbladder are not well-established.
- Evaluating gallbladder wall thickness and ejection fraction provides insights into biliary health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ultrasonographically determine gallbladder wall thickness, volume, and excretion in children.
- To establish reference values for pediatric gallbladder ultrasonography.
- To assess the efficacy of standardized meals for gallbladder stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-six children aged 1-16 years underwent ultrasonography.
- Gallbladder volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula.
- Gallbladder wall thickness and post-prandial changes were measured after a standardized breakfast.
Main Results:
- Gallbladder wall thickness was consistently 3 mm or less, with no significant difference between fasting and stimulated states.
- No correlation was found between gallbladder wall thickness and contraction status.
- A healthy gallbladder should excrete at least 25% of its fasting volume within 1 hour post-stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound is a suitable method for determining gallbladder excretion in children.
- Standardized meals are effective stimuli for assessing pediatric gallbladder function.
- This study provides valuable ultrasonographic data for pediatric gallbladder assessment.
Aim:
Ultrasonographic determination of gallbladder wall thickness, volume and excretion in children.
Method:
In 76 children (1-16 years) we determined the volume of the fasting and stimulated gallbladder by the ellipsoid formula (length X width X depth X 0.523). We also measured the gallbladder wall thickness. Stimulation was performed with a standardised breakfast.
Results:
We always measured the gallbladder wall thickness 3 mm or less and did not find a difference between fasting and stimulation. There was no correlation between gallbladder wall thickness and status of contraction. The healthy gallbladder should excrete at least 25% of the fasting volume within 1 hour.
Conclusion:
Ultrasound is a suitable method to determine the excretion of the gallbladder. In children standardised meals can be used as stimulus instead of commercial stimulating meals.