Doppler demonstration of cystic vein dilatation secondary to portal vein thrombosis.

High-resolution duplex ultrasound was used to demonstrate vascular dilatation in the gallbladder wall in eight patients with portal vein thrombosis. Gallbladder thickening, combined with a higher incidence of gallstone disease in patients with chronic hepatic disease can be misinterpreted as acute cholecystitis. The Doppler is helpful in detecting the vascular cause of the gallbladder wall thickening thus helping to reduce the frequency of inappropriate cholecystectomy.