Abstract

SUAREZ, Jeannine; PEREZ, Hoyer  and  CARREIRO, Manuel. Grosor de la pared vesicular en pacientes con hipertensión portal: Utilidad clínica. Gen [online]. 2009, vol.63, n.4, pp.282-285. ISSN 0016-3503.

Objetive: The thickening of the gall bladder wall is little common in the abdominal ultrasound of patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. In this work it was determined its importance in relation with the presence of esophageal varices and other variables. Patients and Methods: A prospective and comparative study was made (cases and controls). A group of patients with liver Cirrhosis and portal hypertension and another control without liver Disease. Were made Liver tests, abdominal ultrasound, Doppler of the porta vein and upper endoscopy. Results: Evaluated 25 patients; 14 cases patients, and 11 patients controls, mean age 46.28 ± 17.47 vs 38.27 ± 10, 63. Differences between them were: Vein diameter porta 10.78 + 2.54 vs 8.63 + 1.80mm, p=0,02; Seric albumin 3.16 + 0.83 vs. 4.13 + 0.48 gm, p=0,003 and gall bladder wall thickness 3.51 + 1.45 versus 1.77 + 0,45mm, p=0,0009. The sensitivity of the thickening gall bladder wall for the diagnosis of esophageal varices was of 80%, specificity 93.3%, predictive value positive 89% and predictive value negative 88%. Association was found between thickness of the gall bladder wall and albumin (r=0,5347, p=0,005) and the diameter of the porta (r=0,4105, p= 0.041). There was not differences respect to speed systolic Maximum p=0,13; diastolic speed final p=0,22; resistance index p=0,15; blood Flow portal: p=0,94. No profit to demonstrate between the Thickness of gall bladder wall and the Child Pugh (r=0, 25, p= 0.386).Conclusions: Relationship betwen the gall bladder wall thickening and the presence of esophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and portal hypertension.

Keywords : Liver cirrhosis; abdominal ultrasound; portal Hypertension; Gallbladder; Thickening gall bladder wall.