title: Does gallbladder angle affect gallstone formation?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morphology of gallbladder varies considerably from person to person. We believe that one of the morphological variations of gallbladder is the "gallbladder angle". Gallbladder varies also in "angle", which, to the best of our knowledge, has never been investigated before. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of gallbladder angle on gallstone formation.
  
  
  METHODS
  in this study, 1075 abdominal computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively examined. Patients with completely normal gallbladders were selected. Among these patients, those with both abdominal ultrasound and blood tests were identified in the hospital records and included in the study. Based on the findings of the ultrasound scans, patients were divided into two groups as patients with gallstones and patients without gallstones. Following the measurement of gallbladder angles on the CT images, the groups were statistically evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The gallbladder angle was smaller in patients with gallstones (49 ± 21 degrees and 53 ± 19 degrees) and the gallbladder with larger angle was 1.015 (1/0.985) times lower the risk of gallstone formation. However, these were not statistically significant (p>0,05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A more vertically positioned gallbladder does not affect gallstone formation. However, a smaller gallbladder angle may facilitate gallstone formation in patients with the risk factors. Gallstones perhaps more easily and earlier develop in gallbladders with a smaller angle.
authors: Department of Radiology, Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine, 43100, Kutahya, Turkey.
authors: Bekir
authors: B
authors: Sanal
authors: Department of Radiology, Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine, 43100, Kutahya, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet
authors: M
authors: Korkmaz
authors: Department of General Surgery, Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine, 43100, Kutahya, Turkey.
authors: Sezgin
authors: S
authors: Zeren
authors: Department of Radiology, Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine, 43100, Kutahya, Turkey.
authors: Fatma
authors: F
authors: Can
authors: Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, 38100, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: Ferhan
authors: F
authors: Elmali
authors: Department of General Surgery, Dumlupinar University Faculty of Medicine, 43100, Kutahya, Turkey.
authors: Zulfu
authors: Z
authors: Bayhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D042882:Gallstones / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods
keywords: Gallstone; computed tomography; gallbladder angle; ultrasonography