Premium
The Significance of non‐visualization of the fetal gallbladder in early pregnancy
Author(s) -
Blazer S.,
Zimmer E. Z.,
Bronshtein M.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1046/j.1469-0705.2001.abs28-36.x
Subject(s) - gallbladder , medicine , pregnancy , fetus , gestation , incidence (geometry) , obstetrics , gallbladder disease , gynecology , biology , genetics , physics , optics
Purpose: To assess the incidence of a non‐visualized gallbladder in early pregnancy and to determine its prognostic significance. Material and methods: Transvaginal ultrasound examination was performed in 29 749 consecutive pregnant women at 14–16 weeks gestation. All women underwent a detailed fetal survey prospectively. The incidence and associated risk in cases of a non‐visualized fetal gallbladder was determined. Results: The gallbladder was not visualized in early pregnancy in 34 fetuses, giving an incidence of 0.11% (1 in 875 pregnancies). Associated malformations were detected in 14 fetuses (41%), and in 20 fetuses non‐visualization of the gallbladder was an isolated finding. All fetuses with an isolated finding had a normal outcome, in 13 fetuses the gallbladder was detected later on in pregnancy, in five no gallbladder was found after delivery, and two patients were lost in follow up. Of the 14 fetuses with associated anomalies, five had also an abnormal karyotype. Termination of pregnancy was performed in nine of these fetuses. Of the cases which continued pregnancy there was one case of neonatal death, two cases of developmental delay and only one normal child. Conclusion: Non‐visualization of the fetal gallbladder in the early pregnancy is uncommon but is associated with a high incidence of associated anomalies. Fetuses with an isolated finding of a non‐visualized gallbladder have usually a favorable outcome.