IMC Journal of Medical Science (Jan 2012)

Thickening of gallbladder wall in chronic liver disease – a marker for esophageal varices

  • Shamsi Ara Begum,
  • Arif Akbar Saibal,
  • Kanta Das,
  • Sharmistha Dey,
  • Akhtar Uddin Ahmed,
  • A S Mohiuddin, Mohsin Kabir

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. 18 – 20

Abstract

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This study was done to find out the relationship between gallbladder wall thickening and esophageal varices in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients. A total of 61 CLD patients were included and divided into two groups. Group A included 13 CLD patients with no oesophageal varices and Group B composed of 48 CLD patients with esophageal varices. Mean gallbladder wall thickness (GBWT) of Group B was 5.6±0.2mm compared to 2.7±0.1mm of Group A. The mean differences of GBWT were statistically significant between group A and group B (P<0.05). The mean GBWT was significantly (p<0.05) higher in CLD patients with grade III and IV varices (6.1±.8 mm) compared to grade I and II (3.9±0.7 mm). The result suggests that GBWT may be considered as an important marker for the presence of esophageal varices in CLD patients. Ibrahim Med. Coll. J. 2012; 6(1): 18-20

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