Gallbladder Wall Thickening in Patients with Scrub Typhus: US Findings.

Kim,  Euy Neyng; Chun,  Kyung Ah; Kim,  Young Joo; Lee,  Sang Hoon; Yoon,  Yeo Dong; Kim,  Sung Hoon; Kim,  Han Bock; Park,  Seog Hee; Shinn,  Kyung Sub

Journal of Korean Society of Medical Ultrasound 1997;16(2): 131-134.

Euy Neyng Kim, Kyung Ah Chun, Young Joo Kim, Sang Hoon Lee, Yeo Dong Yoon, Sung Hoon Kim, Han Bock Kim, Seog Hee Park, Kyung Sub Shinn

Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea.

Published online: January 1, 2001.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, clinical significance and possible etiology of sonographically observed GB (gallbladder) wall thickening in patients with ST (scrub typhus). MATERIALS & METHODS: The study included 69 patients with proven ST who underwent abdominal sonograms. We measured the GB wall thickness and concomitant determination of serum albumin level was obtained in all patients. The relationship of GB wall thickness and serum albumin level was evaluated. RESULTS: Sixteen (23.1%) of 69 patients with ST had even and diffuse thickening of GB wall greater than 4 mm. Fourteen of 16 patients (89%) with GB wall thickening had more than moderate degree of hypoalbuminemia (< 3.0 g/dL). GB wall thickening in patients with ST had close relation to hypoalbuminemia (x2, P< 0.01). CONCLUSION: In the patients with severe abdominal pain and GB wall thickening in endemic areas on endemic season, ST should be listed as the one possible cause of GB wall thickening in order to avoid unnecessary surgical intervention that may be even harmful to these patients.

Keywords: scrub typhus; GB wall thickening; hypoalbuminemia