Question 1

does gallbladder sludge means gallbladder walls are thick?

Accepted Answer

Nope: The gallbladder is a small hollow organ that holds bile.  This helps us digest fat.  When you look at the gallbladder with an ultrasound the bile can appear like sludge which probably just describes the consistency of the bile.  Thickening of the gallbladder wall can be seen on the ultrasound as well and usually is a result of inflammation.  These are two different findings.

Question 2

they told me that i have sludge and crystals in my gallbladder. what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

May be problem: Sludge and crystals in gallbladder are usually detected by ultrasound examination. Sometimes these are transient and disappear. Usuall if patient has symptoms referrable to gall bladder disease a hida nuclear medicine exam is performed to determine if gall bladder is functioning normally. If normal function and prdesence of sludge not usually a problem. If gall bladder disease sometimes surgery.

Question 3

i was told my gallbladder had sludge in it and is dialated what does this mean?

Accepted Answer

In what context...?: No x-ray finding is normal/ abnormal unless it is viewed in clinical context--e.g. Is the patient symptomatic or ill; are liver tests elevated? Gallbladder wall  thickening may indicate gallbladder inflammation, but it may also mean the gallbladder was partially (& normally) contracted. Gallbladders dilate normally between meals & during fasting, but impaired emptying can lead to stone formation.

Question 4

what does a gallbladder sludge and cyst in the liver mean?

Accepted Answer

Benign findings : Gallbladder sludge can be seen with rapid weight loss, prolonged fasting, really sick patients with low/absent oral intake or use of tpn.Certain drugs (i.e. Ceftriaxone) can also cause it.The clinical course of sludge varies - often going away if the causative agent is eliminated. Asymptomatic patients require no therapy. If symptomatic or complications arise cholecystectomy may be indicated.

Question 5

what does ejection fraction means? i'm having a hida scan tomorrow because i'v been diagnosed w/a gallbladder sludge

Accepted Answer

Ejection fraction is: A measure of how effectively the gallbladder releases bile when it contracts.  During a hida scan, the gallbladder accumulates the radioactive substance.  Another medication is then given (cck) which stimulates the gallbladder to contract.  A special camera measures how well the gallbladder empties.  This is reported as a percentage.  If abnormal, this may be a source of pain without gallstones.

Question 6

what exactly is gallbladder sludge and can it be seen in an ultrasound? results- gallbladder/cbd: no cholelithiasis, gallbladder wall thickening or pericholecystic fluid. normal caliber cbd measuring 2 mm. does this mean there is no sludge?

Accepted Answer

: Gallbladder sudge is when bile remains in the gallbladder for too long and then mixes with mucus from the gallbladder as well as with cholesterol and calcium salts, combining to create the sludge. Your report has no comment on sludge and likely there is none.

Question 7

surgical consult-gallbladder sludge and gallstone means what? my doctor sent me these instructions. any advice on what it means?

Accepted Answer

What instructions?: The standard treatment for gallstones is removing your gallbladder; i believe this should be the last resort rather than initial treatment. I've had many patients have great success with natural therapies to dissolve gallstones & flush them out of the liver/gallbladder. I advise consulting a holistic md. See http://www.Townsendletter.Com/july2011/momiracles0711.Html & the book by moritz mentioned.

Question 8

liver is diffusely increased with echogenicity without focal hepatitic lesion. gallbladder no stones or sludge. negative sonographic murphys sign and no pericholcystic fluid. wall measure normal at 2.1. cbd 3.8 diffuse fibrofatty infiltration  means?

Accepted Answer

Early Dx of Cirrhosi:  Early diagnosis of liver cirrhosis is very important. Prognosis and management of chronic liver diseases hinge strongly on the amount and progression of liver fibrosis. Variety of causes of liver cirrhosis, with alcohol consumption, viruses, and fatty liver disease making up the majority of factors. Micronodular Cirrhosis  in chronic alcoholic, hepatitis C, and PBC. Macronodular cirrhosis  in HBV

Question 9

83 yrs. gallbladder removed 40 years ago.  now show sludge in gallbladder lumen.  what does this mean?  nausea common for me.  also atropy pancreas

Accepted Answer

Error?: The radiologist may not have been given information that your gallbladder was removed 40 years ago & the ultrasound is seeing the surgical scarring. Ask your doctor who ordered the ultrasound to review your history with the radiologist. Atrophy of the pancreas is common & normal as we age. There are many causes of nausea & ultrasound is likely normal for you.

Question 10

i have just been told i have sludge in the lumen the bcd dilated to 1.5 cm after gall bladder removal will this mean more surgery please?

Accepted Answer

Not Necessarily: Increasing size of the Common Bile Duct is normal after having your gallbladder removed.  Unless you are having recurrent symptoms, I don't think you need surgery.  You may need to have an upper endoscopy to open the valve so the sludge can be drained easier from the duct.  That will be up to you, your symptoms and your surgeon/endoscopist.

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Doctor answers about:

What does sludge in the gallbladder mean

A member asked:

Does gallbladder sludge means gallbladder walls are thick?

A member asked:

They told me that i have sludge and crystals in my gallbladder. what does this mean?

A member asked:

I was told my gallbladder had sludge in it and is dialated what does this mean?

A member asked:

What does a gallbladder sludge and cyst in the liver mean?

A member asked:

What does ejection fraction means? i'm having a hida scan tomorrow because i'v been diagnosed w/a gallbladder sludge

A member asked:

What exactly is gallbladder sludge and can it be seen in an ultrasound? results- gallbladder/cbd: no cholelithiasis, gallbladder wall thickening or pericholecystic fluid. normal caliber cbd measuring 2 mm. does this mean there is no sludge?

A member asked:

Surgical consult-gallbladder sludge and gallstone means what? my doctor sent me these instructions. any advice on what it means?

A member asked:

Liver is diffusely increased with echogenicity without focal hepatitic lesion. gallbladder no stones or sludge. negative sonographic murphys sign and no pericholcystic fluid. wall measure normal at 2.1. cbd 3.8 diffuse fibrofatty infiltration means?

A member asked:

83 yrs. gallbladder removed 40 years ago. now show sludge in gallbladder lumen. what does this mean? nausea common for me. also atropy pancreas

A member asked:

I have just been told i have sludge in the lumen the bcd dilated to 1.5 cm after gall bladder removal will this mean more surgery please?

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