Is gallbladder enlargement the same as cholecystitis?

Generally speaking, gallbladder enlargement does not equate to cholecystitis; the two are distinct medical concepts. Gallbladder enlargement refers to a "morphological abnormality" observed in imaging examinations, while cholecystitis is an inflammatory disease of the gallbladder. Enlargement may be one manifestation of cholecystitis, but it can also be caused by other factors. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Gallbladder enlargement, in essence, refers to an increased gallbladder volume detected via imaging tests such as ultrasound or CT, and is merely a descriptive term for morphological changes. Cholecystitis, on the other hand, is a diagnosed condition involving inflammation of the gallbladder wall due to bacterial infection, bile stasis, or similar causes, and requires comprehensive evaluation based on symptoms, physical signs, and test results.

In terms of relationship and distinction, the two conditions are somewhat related. During acute cholecystitis, inflammation can cause congestion and edema in the gallbladder, leading to its enlargement. In such cases, gallbladder enlargement is one of the typical radiological features of cholecystitis. However, the two are not always linked. Gallbladder enlargement may also result from other causes, such as gallstones blocking the bile ducts and impairing bile drainage, gallbladder polyps, gallbladder tumors, or even prolonged fasting causing excessive gallbladder distension. These conditions do not involve gallbladder inflammation and therefore do not constitute cholecystitis.

Therefore, gallbladder enlargement should not be equated with cholecystitis. Upon detecting gallbladder enlargement, further assessment is necessary—including evaluation of symptoms such as abdominal pain and fever, as well as imaging findings like gallbladder wall thickness and bile characteristics—so that a physician can determine whether cholecystitis or another condition is present. Self-diagnosis based solely on gallbladder enlargement should be avoided.