Pathological gallbladder wall thickening is associated with advanced chronic liver disease and independent of serum albumin.
J Clin Ultrasound
; 50(3): 367-374, 2022 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34633098
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
Increased gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) is a common finding. Reported causes include advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD), ascites and hypalbuminemia. GBWT is a marker for the prediction of esophageal varices. It remains unclear which of these factors is the decisive driver of GBWT. We aim to investigate whether there is a predominant factor associated with the GBWT.METHODS:
We enrolled 258 patients with ascites, hypalbuminemia and/or ACLD and 98 healthy volunteers that underwent abdominal ultrasound. Differences of mean GBWT in subgroups of patients with ACLD, ascites, and/or hypalbuminemia were analyzed. Correlation between various parameters and GBWT were calculated using multiple regression analysis.RESULTS:
GBWT in patients with ACLD + ascites + hypalbuminemia (n = 59; 5.70 ± 2.05 mm) was pathologically increased compared to patients with hypalbuminemia + ascites without ACLD (n = 36; 2.14 ± 0.66 mm; p < .001) and to patients with only hypalbuminemia (n = 76; 2.02 ± 0.80 mm; p < .001). GBWT of patients with ACLD + hypalbuminemia (n = 30; 3.42 ± 1.52 mm) and with ACLD and normal albumin level were not different (n = 46; 3.10 ± 1.62 mm; p > .999). Significant correlation was seen between GBWT and ACLD (r = .53; p < .001) and ascites (r = .51; p < .001) but not albumin level (r = .04; p = .510).CONCLUSION:
We demonstrate that ACLD is predominantly associated with GBWT. In contrast to the current literature, serum albumin level appears not to be associated with pathological GBWT.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Vesícula Biliar
/
Cirrose Hepática
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article