A gallbladder filled with sludge that is isoechoic to the liver, making visualization difficult is called which?

A gallbladder filled with sludge that is isoechoic to the liver, making visualization difficult is called which?

• A. Hepatization of the GB
• B. Cholelithiasis
• C. Porcelain GB
• D. Walled-off cholecystitis

Answer: (A)

When the gallbladder is filled with biliary sludge that echoes as softly as the liver tissue, the lumen becomes difficult to distinguish from the surrounding liver. This blending of echotexture makes the gallbladder appear without a clear wall or contour. That appearance is called hepatization of the gallbladder. The concept hinges on how sludge changes the ultrasound echo pattern, making the GB look similar to liver parenchyma and thus hard to visualize. Cholelithiasis would show bright echogenic stones with posterior shadowing and mobility. Porcelain gallbladder refers to calcification of the gallbladder wall. Walled-off cholecystitis involves a thickened gallbladder wall with inflammatory changes or encapsulated fluid, not sludge making the GB isoechoic to the liver.

When the gallbladder is filled with biliary sludge that echoes as softly as the liver tissue, the lumen becomes difficult to distinguish from the surrounding liver. This blending of echotexture makes the gallbladder appear without a clear wall or contour.

That appearance is called hepatization of the gallbladder. The concept hinges on how sludge changes the ultrasound echo pattern, making the GB look similar to liver parenchyma and thus hard to visualize.

Cholelithiasis would show bright echogenic stones with posterior shadowing and mobility. Porcelain gallbladder refers to calcification of the gallbladder wall. Walled-off cholecystitis involves a thickened gallbladder wall with inflammatory changes or encapsulated fluid, not sludge making the GB isoechoic to the liver.