J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  1997 Sep;16(3):215-220.

Left Lateral Decubitus Position of Gallbladder Ultrasound: Is It Always Necessary in Detection of Gallbladder Lesion?

• Kim HS
• Na ES
• Cho JI
• Kim BH
• Park CM

Abstract

PURPOSE
To assess the relative values of the supine and left lateral decubitus position in sonographic detection of gallbladder disease. MATERIALS & METHODS: From January 1997 to April 1997, prospective ultrasonographic study of gallbladder was performed in 1003 patients, whose whole gallbladder lumen could be identified on supine position. We used commercially available 3-7 MHz transducers. All patients were examined in the supine position and followed by the left lateral decubitus position. Detection rate of the gallbladder lesion, size, location and number of the lesions detected, and the ability for lesion characterization were compared in the two positions.
RESULTS
Gallbladder diseases were detected in 85 patients (8.5%) in the supine position, and in 82 patients(8.2%) in the left lateral decubitus position. Sonographic diagnosis included calculi in 63 patients, polyps in 21 patients, and carcinoma in one patient. No additional lesion was detected in the left lateral decubitus position when gallbladder was normal in the supine position. Polyps in the anterior wall (n=2) and rundus (n=1) were detected only on the supine position. Left lateral decubitus position revealed additional number of stones (n=3) and showed more prominent posterior shadowing (n=3) as compared with the supine position.
CONCLUSION
When the gallbladder is normal in the supine position, left lateral decubitus position is not always needed for gallbladder evaluation. Left lateral decubitus position might be helpful for the lesion characterization in addition to supine position.

MeSH Terms

Calculi
Diagnosis
Gallbladder Diseases
Gallbladder*
Humans
Polyps
Prospective Studies
Shadowing (Histology)
Supine Position
Transducers
Ultrasonography*