Gallbladder imaging: causes of wall thickening: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Gallbladder imaging: causes of wall thickening

Sample item

On ultrasound, the gallbladder wall measures 6 mm in a patient with ascites and hypoalbuminaemia, with no gallstones, no pericholecystic fluid and a negative sonographic Murphy sign. What is the best interpretation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Non-inflammatory wall oedema from systemic causes

Wall thickening is non-specific and occurs in hepatitis, heart failure, hypoalbuminaemia and ascites. Without stones, tenderness or fluid, acute cholecystitis is unlikely.

Option by option

  • A. Porcelain gallbladder

    Porcelain gallbladder shows calcification.

  • B. Definite acute cholecystitis

    Cholecystitis needs a supportive picture and signs.

  • C. Gallbladder carcinoma

    Carcinoma shows a mass or focal irregular thickening.

  • D. Non-inflammatory wall oedema from systemic causes (correct)

    Correct. Systemic causes can thicken the wall without inflammation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is D, Non-inflammatory wall oedema from systemic causes. Wall thickening is non-specific and occurs in hepatitis, heart failure, hypoalbuminaemia and ascites.

Why is "Porcelain gallbladder" not the answer?

Porcelain gallbladder shows calcification.

Why is "Definite acute cholecystitis" not the answer?

Cholecystitis needs a supportive picture and signs.

Why is "Gallbladder carcinoma" not the answer?

Carcinoma shows a mass or focal irregular thickening.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gallbladder imaging: causes of wall thickening in Radiology. Without stones, tenderness or fluid, acute cholecystitis is unlikely.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gallbladder imaging: causes of wall thickening?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.