Ultrasound findings in the gallbladder of sickle-cell patients: A cross-sectional Study in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Sickle-cell disease (SCD) causes chronic and recurrent hemolysis which is a recognized risk factor for gallbladder (GB) disease. The prevalence of GB disease in SCD is high and increases with age. Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis are relatively common GB diseases in SCD. They are important causes of acute abdominal pain in SCD and also increase morbidity. Ultrasound is a cheap and noninvasive means of evaluating the GB; it has a high degree of accuracy and is widely available.Aims: The aim of this study is to sonographically evaluate the GB of SCD patients in steady state at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, and to determine the prevalence of specific GB diseases in SCD patients. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study of 130 known SCD patients attending sickle-cell clinics at UNTH and 130 controls. Ultrasound of the GB was done after at least 6 h fast, using a Dp2200 mindray mobile ultrasound machine equipped with a 2.5–5 MHz convex probe. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 16. Results: The GBs of 130 consecutive SCD participants and 130 control group were sonographically evaluated. The prevalence of cholelithiasis in SCD was 10.8%, whereas the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the control group was 3.1%. No other GB diseases were seen. The mean dimensions of the GB for the study group were length (65.78 ± 9.85 mm), width (29.15 ± 6.01 mm), depth (25.58 ± 5.81 mm), wall thickness (1.59 ± 0.74 mm), and volume (26.52 ± 11.18 cm3). Conclusion: The prevalence of cholelithiasis in sickle cell disease in southeast Nigeria is 10.8% while the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the control population is 3.1%.