Biliary Sludge

Question 1

what is sludge

Answer 1

Thickened bile

Question 2

what is a frequent cause of sludge

Answer 2

Biliary stasis

Question 3

who may be likely to have sludge

Answer 3

patients with prolonged fasting, hyperalimentation therapy or obstruction of the gallbladder

Question 4

Complications of biliary sludge

Answer 4

Complications include stone formation, biliary colic, acalculous cholecysititis and pancreatitis

Question 5

symptoms of sludge

Answer 5

May be asymptomatic

Question 6

Sonographic findings of bilairy sludge

Answer 6

• Sludge may make the gallbladder isoechoic to the liver and difficult to distinguish
• Sludge may be found in the common duct
• Sludge is mobile and therefore will move with repositioning of the patient
• Low level internal echoes layering in dependant part of gallbladder
• Prominent gallbladder size

Question 7

DD of sludge

Answer 7

“•Pseudosludge
•Empyema of gallbladder
•Hemobilia
•Neoplasm “