MORPHOMETRIC ULTRASONOGRAPHIC RESULTS OF THE GALLBLADDER IN HEALTHY-CHILDREN

Aim Ultrasonographic determination of gallbladder wall thickness, volu me and excretion in children. Method In 76 children (1-16 years) we de termined the volume of the fasting and stimulated gallbladder by the e llipsoid formula (length x width x depth x 0,523). We also measured th e gallbladder wall thickness. Stimulation was performed with a standar dised breakfast. Results We always measured the gallbladder wall thick ness 3 mm or less and did not find a difference between fasting and st imulation. There was no correlation between gallbladder wall thickness and status of contraction. The healthy gallbladder should excrete at least 25% of the fasting volume within 1 hour. Conclusion Ultrasound i s a suitable method to determine the excretion of the gallbladder. In children standardised meals can be used as stimulus instead of commerc ial stimulating meals.