Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the normal and abnormal gallbladder

Abstract

One hundred and fourteen upper abdominal computed tomography examinations performed before and after intravenous contrast were reviewed. In 48 patients who had no evidence of biliary or pancreatic disease, the mean gallbladder wall attenuation before contrast was 25 +/- 13 HU and after contrast 42 +/- 18 HU, with a wall thickness of 1.9 +/- 0.43 mm. In 14 patients with chronic pancreatitis these values were 24 +/- 10.5 HU, 44 +/- 25 HU and 2.0 +/- 0.54 mm, respectively. In a further group of 15 patients with chronic biliary disease, the values were 34 +/- 15 HU, 53 +/- 18 HU and 2.3 +/- 0.9 mm. The degree of wall enhancement was statistically significant in each group. There was no statistical difference in the attenuation characteristics or wall enhancement between normal patients and those with chronic pancreatitis. Patients with chronic biliary disease had a thicker gallbladder wall with higher attenuation before contrast but a similar degree of enhancement.

The human gallbladder

“…This is considered to be the upper normal value [8]; estimates higher than 3.5 mm are regarded as predictive for gallbladder disease [9]. The wall of the gallbladder is composed of three layers: mucosa, muscularis, and adventitia (also called perimuscular connective tissue).…”

“…Light microscopy shows that these bundles cross each other obliquely. The thickness of the muscular layer undergoes individual variations; it relates, however, to the total thickness of the gallbladder wall [8]. Comparative light microscopic investigations .…”