Use of Gallbladder Width Measurement by Computed Tomography in the Diagnosis of Acute Cholecystitis

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of gallbladder width measurement with computed tomography (CT) in patients with acute cholecystitis. This retrospective case–control study was conducted between March 2016 and March 2020 at a tertiary emergency department. Of 310 patients, 254 patients with acute cholecystitis confirmed by surgery were compared with 254 patients diagnosed with other diseases (controls). In the acute cholecystitis group, the number of older patients with underlying illnesses was much higher (64% of men). Upon CT, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) gallbladder width was significantly longer in patients with acute cholecystitis (2.26 [1.82–2.78] cm vs. 3.73 [3.32–4.16] cm, p p < 0.001). Therefore, an increase in gallbladder width (≥3.12 cm) measured with CT can be a simple and sensitive diagnostic sign of acute cholecystitis, supporting the underlying pathophysiology of bile outflow obstruction.

Keywords

• acute cholecystitis
• computed tomography
• CT
• diagnosis
• gallbladder