https://imcjms.com Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/219 Tue, 16 May 2017 14:10:37 +0000 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. Address for Correspondence: Dr.Shamsi Ara Begum, Registrar, Department of Radiology and Imaging, Ibrahim Medical College& BIRDEM, 122 Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Shahbagh, Dhaka-1000   Chronic liver disease (CLD) is an emerging health problem in our country. Chronic liver disease results in liver damage and development of portal hypertension. One of the main feature of portal hypertension is the development of gastro-esophageal varices. As bleeding from esophageal varices is a life threatening condition, an early prediction and detection of esophageal varices is important. Endoscopic examination is an invasive as well as expensive procedure for detection of esophageal varices. Therefore, alternative non-invasive procedure is sought for the detection of esophageal varices. Portal hypertension leads to edema and congestion in gallbladder wall and causes ‘congestive cholecystopahty’ resulting into its wall thickening.1 Colour and power doppler study can identify these dilated venous channels.2,3 So, gallbladder wall thickening (GBWT) observed at ultrasonography in chronic liver disease patients may be used as a marker for the presence of esophageal varices.4   The study was conducted on 61 diagnosed patients of CLD at the Radiology & Imaging Department of BIRDEM during June 2006 to May 2007. The patients were divided into two groups: Group A consisted of 13 patients with no esophageal varices while Group B consisted of 48 patients with esophageal varices. Patients with hepatic failure or coma, bleeding episode, intrinsic diseases of gallbladder were excluded from the study. After ultrasonographic examination of abdomen, every patient underwent endoscopic examination of upper GIT by gastroenterologist. Grading of oesophageal varices was done according to the defined standard.5 All the relevant collected data were analyzed. Result     Discussion The present work has revealed that GBWT measured at abdominal sonogram can play a significant role in detecting the presence of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension due to CLD. GBWT measured by ultra sonogram is an important marker for the diagnosis of esophageal varices compared to the invasive and expensive upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedure. However, further studies can be carried out by larger number of study subjects with inclusion of other conditions causing portal hypertension. References 2.  Helbich T, Breitenseher M, Heinz-Peer G, Vergesslich, K, Granditsch G, Kainberger F. Color Doppler ultrasound of gallbladder varicose veins in children. A rare sign of portal hypertension. Ultraschall Med 1994; 15(3): 126-30. 4.  Galip E, Omer O, Salih AU, Mustafe Y, Zeki K., Yucel B. Gallbladder wall thickening as a sign of esophageal varices in chronic liver disease, The Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology 1999; 10(1): 23-29. 6.  Saverymuttu SH, Corbishley CM, Maxwell JD, Joseph AE. Thickened stomach- an ultrasound sign of portal hypertension. Clin Radiol 1990; 41(1): 17-8. 2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.