Gallbladder Wall Thickening
Gallbladder wall thickening refers to an increase in the thickness of the gallbladder wall seen on imaging. This finding can occur for many reasons—some benign and others more serious. Causes include inflammation (such as cholecystitis), infection, fluid overload, liver disease, heart failure, and certain benign gallbladder conditions. Because it has many possible explanations, gallbladder wall thickening is considered a descriptive imaging finding rather than a diagnosis.
What is it?
Gallbladder wall thickening occurs when the gallbladder wall becomes swollen or appears more prominent than usual on imaging. It can be caused by inflammation within the gallbladder (as in cholecystitis), as well as by conditions outside the gallbladder that increase pressure or fluid in the body, such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney problems. In some cases, benign gallbladder conditions like adenomyomatosis also cause the wall to thicken.
Imaging helps radiologists determine whether the thickening is focal or diffuse, whether gallstones are present, and whether there are associated findings such as fluid around the gallbladder or bile duct dilation. These details help narrow down the potential causes and guide treatment.
Important to Know
Gallbladder wall thickening is not a disease on its own. Instead, it alerts clinicians to look for an underlying condition. Mild thickening can occur with dehydration, infection elsewhere in the body, or after eating. More significant thickening accompanied by symptoms—such as fever, severe pain, or jaundice—may indicate acute cholecystitis or another urgent problem.
Red flag symptoms include high fever, persistent right upper abdominal pain, jaundice, vomiting, or signs of widespread infection. These require prompt medical evaluation. Follow-up imaging or additional tests may be recommended depending on the suspected cause and how symptoms progress.