[Prospective research on fetal cholelithiasis: incidence, predisposing conditions, echographic diagnosis, and...

The Authors report a prospective study on fetal cholelithiasis, analyzing its differences with the more widely known cholelithiasis of paediatric age. The study shows that the number of cases diagnosed by ultrasonography is higher than expected (0.39%, 3 cases on 764 pregnancies). The Authors could find no correlation between fetal cholelithiasis and any maternal, obstetrical and fetal factor. They have focused attention on sonographic imaging showing clinical-instrumental correlation between echogenic material, clinical features and their evolution. The study confirms that the most common evolution results in spontaneous resolution of fetal endocholecystic pathological images. Finally, wide review of the international literature is reported on the rare, but possible clinical manifestations and their complications.