The relationship between gallstone disease and gall bladder volume.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The role of a large gallbladder volume with regards to a predisposition to gallstones is unknown. It is likely that an increase in gallbladder volume could result in impaired gallbladder motility and bile stasis which may encourage gallstone formation. This study is therefore to determine the relationship between the presence of gallstone disease and gall bladder volume. METHODOLOGY: One hundred type 2 diabetic patients and 100 age and sex-matched controls underwent real time ultrasonography to determine the relationship between the presence of gallstone disease and gallbladder volume. Their demographic characteristics were recorded and compared. The ultrasound examinations was done in the morning following an overnight fast (to prevent gall bladder contraction) without sedation. Longitudinal and transverse scans of the right upper quadrant was done in both the supine and left lateral positions The gallbladder volume was measured. RESULT: The mean gallbladder volume in diabetic patients with gallstone disease 28.4 +/- 18.6 ml was higher than in those without gallstone disease 27.4 +/- 14.8 ml p = 0.844. The mean gallbladder volume in the controls with gallstone disease 26.5 +/- 14.7 ml was also higher than in those without gallstone disease 24.1 +/- 12.7 ml p = 0.189. CONCLUSION: The fasting gallbladder volume tended to be larger in patients with gallstones (i.e. both diabetic patients and controls).