Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: ReseaRch aRticlecholecystomegaly has been seen in cases of fetal anomaly and intrauterine growth retardation, and further testing resulted in detecting aneuploidy.11 In literature, there are contrasting viewpoints on this association.12 But for a genetic condition such as cystic fibrosis, gallbladder monitoring is essential.13 Knowledge about the gallbladder's normal appearances, variants, and abnormalities is a prerequisite to contributing to proper management.14 The gallbladder grows in a predictable fashion regarding advancement in gestation.6 The current study aims to manually determine the parameters (length and width) of the fetal gallbladders.The objective is to see its significance with the gestational age and to derive relevant regression equations.This information can then further be utilized to assess normal fetal gallbladder growth, detect anomalies, and determine the age of the fetus. IntroductIonA ventral outpouching arising from the embryonic foregut, specifically its caudal portion, is where the fetal gallbladder evolves around the fourth week of gestation.Bile production commences in 12 weeks, reaching the duodenum via the bile duct. 1 Ultrasonographical (USG) studies show that the gallbladder is visualized only by the 13th-14th weeks of gestation.In the normal physiology of the gastrointestinal tract of the fetus, the gallbladder seems to play a passive role despite showing contractility.2,3 An incidence of <1 in 6,000 live births is seen in fetal gallbladder agenesis.4 Conditions such as cholelithiasis and sludge are associated with neonatal hepatobiliary disease; this has provoked further studies of the gallbladder.5 More USG studies have been done in the literature to assess gallbladder development.The gallbladder of the fetus is visualized sonographically as an elliptically shaped structure placed to the right of the intrahepatic umbilical vein.6 A fetal gallbladder examination has been recommended to be included in the 3rd-trimester scans.7 Echogenic contents within the gallbladder should be differentiated from other upper-quadrant echogenecities as they can be associated with morbidity and mortality.8 Biliary atresia can result in fatality if proper evaluation is not done and may eventually require liver transplantation.9 Though congenital gallbladder anomalies are uncommon, they can either be solitar y or be associated with other conditions such as hyperechogenic bowel, cardiac anomalies, renal dysplasia, and a single umbilical artery.10 Rarely, fetal
Source: Journal of Medical Academics
Authors: Devika Agnihotri, Aksh Dubey
Institution: Indian Army
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7116703988