Spontaneous Course of Biliary Sludge

Sludge within the gallbladder (GB) is commonly seen during ultrasonographic (US) examination and is de fined as the presence of gravity-dependent, nonshadowing, echogenic material within the lumen of the GB. The prevalence is not different among healthy dogs, dogs with hepatobiliary disease, or dogs with other diseases. However, dogs with sludge have decreased GB motility when compared to dogs witho ut biliary sludge, suggesting that biliary sludge might not be a benign process. Biliary stasis and modifications to bile within the GB promote the formation of biliary sludge, and it is associated with mucus hypersecretion.

Source: Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery - July 1, 2017 Category: Veterinary Research Tags: Gastroenterology Source Type: research