Paradoxical gall bladder function in hepatitis

A new sonographic gall bladder finding associated with viral hepatitis is described. Five patients were referred for abdominal sonography. Their gall bladder showed thickened walls (> 3mm) and virtually complete contraction despite prolonged fasting. After a full breakfast, the patients underwent postprandial re-examination. This re-examination, 1-3 h later, showed well-defined fluid-filled gall bladder lumen in all cases. The final diagnosis of all patients was acute viral hepatitis. It was concluded that the gall bladder may be contracted after fasting, and undergo postprandial distension in cases of viral hepatitis.