In cases of acute cholecystitis, what is a common sonographic finding?

In the case of acute cholecystitis, a common sonographic finding is the presence of a thickened gallbladder wall. This thickening is often due to inflammation in the gallbladder, which is a result of obstruction of the cystic duct typically caused by gallstones. When the gallbladder wall thickens, it indicates that the tissue is responding to the inflammatory process, which can include edema, necrosis, and increased blood flow to the area.

Thickened gallbladder walls are typically greater than 3 mm in thickness and can be associated with other sonographic signs of acute cholecystitis, such as gallstones, pericholecystic fluid, and a positive Murphy's sign on ultrasound. Identifying this finding is crucial for diagnosis and can guide subsequent management of the condition.

In contrast, a floating gallstone may be seen in cases of gallstones but it is not a definitive sign of acute cholecystitis on its own. Normal gallbladder morphology would indicate an absence of disease, which contradicts the acute condition, while intrahepatic biliary dilation generally suggests obstruction in the larger biliary tree and is not a primary finding in acute cholecystitis itself