Vol. 28 - Num. 111
Clinical Reviews in Digestive Diseases
Gallbladder wall thickening secondary to viral infections: differential diagnosis with acalculous cholecystitis
Lorena Fernández Iglesiasa, Alicia Ramos Blancoa, M.ª Teresa Castro García-Montesinosb, Ana Sola Aparicioc, Elisa Aguirre Pascuald, Iván Carabaño Aguadoe
aMIR-Pediatría. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Madrid. España.
bMIR-Pediatría. Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla. Santander. Cantabria. España.
cMIR-Pediatría. Hospital Universitario de Navarra. Pamplona. Navarra. España.
dSección de Radiología Infantil. Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Madrid. España.
eSección de Gastroenterología, Hepatología y Nutrición Infantil. Servicio de Pediatría. Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre. Madrid. España.
Correspondence: L Fernández. E-mail: lfiglesias@salud.madrid.org
Reference of this article: Fernández Iglesias L, Ramos Blanco A, Castro García-Montesinos MT, Sola Aparicio A, Aguirre Pascual E, Carabaño Aguado I. Gallbladder wall thickening secondary to viral infections: differential diagnosis with acalculous cholecystitis . Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2026;28:377-80. https://doi.org/10.60147/93e4d710
Published in Internet: 25-09-2026 - Visits: 256
Abstract
Gallbladder wall thickening is a relatively common and nonspecific ultrasonographic finding in the pediatric population, which may pose diagnostic challenges. In the absence of lithiasis, it can be mistaken for acalculous cholecystitis, despite representing distinct entities with different clinical implications and management. While acalculous cholecystitis involves primary inflammation of the gallbladder with a risk of complications, gallbladder edema is usually a reactive phenomenon secondary to systemic processes and follows a self-limited course. In this context, it is essential to avoid overdiagnosis of cholecystitis based solely on imaging findings. Isolated gallbladder wall thickening should always be interpreted in conjunction with clinical presentation, laboratory results, and other imaging findings.
Keywords
● Cholecystitis Acalculous ● Epstein-Barr virus ● Gallbladder ● Hepatitis A ● Oedema