Morgan M, Molinari A, Ranchod A, et al. Gallbladder hydrops. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-35239
Gallbladder hydrops or mucocele5 refers to marked dilatation of the gallbladder due to chronic obstruction of the cystic duct resulting in accumulation of sterile non-pigmented mucin.
Abdominal pain with palpable gallbladder without any signs of infection. In an asymptomatic patient, it likely is related to fasting.
Pathology
Chronic obstruction of the cystic duct results in accumulation of the sterile non-pigmented mucin in a distended gallbladder which sometimes can reach the pelvis. Causes include:
impacted stone
tumors or polyps
extrinsic compression by tumor, lymph node, or fibrosis
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