Tsankof A, Protopapas AA, Kyritsi V, Gogou C, Kyziroglou M, Papathanasiou E, Chatzikosma C, Michalopoulos A, Savopoulos C, Protopapas AN. Gallstones and gallbladder wall thickening in patients with cirrhosis: Prevalence and clinical impact. World J Clin Cases 2026; 14(1): 114043 [PMID: 41551687 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v14.i1.114043]
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03003679
Submitted on:
January 08, 2026, 15:49
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Reader Comments:
This paper presents a systematic retrospective analysis of the incidence and clinical significance of gallstones and gallbladder wall thickening in patients with liver cirrhosis, offering valuable clinical observations for practitioners. The study clearly indicates that the prevalence of gallbladder abnormalities—including gallstones and asymptomatic wall thickening—is significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis, especially in the decompensated stage, compared to the general population. This finding aligns with previous research and further supports the pivotal role of portal hypertension and hepatic dysfunction in the development of gallbladder pathology.
Notably, the authors emphasize that these imaging findings are often related to cirrhosis itself rather than being indicators of acute cholecystitis. This distinction is clinically important, as it can help prevent unnecessary interventions—such as misdiagnosis and surgery for presumed acute cholecystitis—particularly in asymptomatic individuals. Moreover, the study suggests that gallbladder abnormalities correlate more strongly with the decompensated state of cirrhosis than with its etiology, providing a fresh perspective on the mechanisms underlying gallbladder changes in these patients.
However, several limitations should be acknowledged. First, the retrospective design and single-center sample may limit the generalizability of the results. Second, the study lacks in-depth analysis of subgroups based on the etiology of cirrhosis, leaving it unclear whether findings differ notably in non-alcoholic liver disease patients. Finally, potential influencing factors such as gallbladder motility and medication use were not systematically evaluated, even though they may contribute to wall thickening and stone formation.
Overall, this paper offers practical clinical insights into the imaging assessment of the gallbladder in cirrhotic patients. Future prospective, multicenter studies incorporating more pathophysiological parameters—such as gallbladder motility and bile composition—could help further elucidate the complex relationship between cirrhosis and gallbladder disorders and contribute to optimized clinical decision-making.