What does measuring the wall thickness of the gallbladder help to evaluate?

Measuring the wall thickness of the gallbladder is an important diagnostic procedure that helps evaluate conditions such as cholecystitis or other gallbladder pathologies. In cases of acute cholecystitis, for instance, inflammation of the gallbladder typically leads to an increase in wall thickness due to edema and inflammation. A thickened gallbladder wall, often greater than 3 mm, can indicate the presence of cholecystitis, gallbladder infection, or even neoplastic changes.

In the context of evaluating gallbladder conditions, the wall thickness allows sonographers and physicians to assess whether the gallbladder is healthy or if there are significant pathological changes that require further investigation or treatment. An increased wall thickness, alongside symptoms such as right upper quadrant pain or tenderness, can strongly suggest gallbladder disease.

While kidney size and function, liver inflammation, and abdominal aortic aneurysm are also important in abdominal ultrasounds, they are evaluated through different parameters and specific measurements that do not involve gallbladder wall thickness.