Ultrasonographic identification of the human fetal gallbladder in utero.

Ultrasonographic studies of the human fetal gallbladder were performed in utero on 149 fetuses ranging from 20 to 39 weeks of gestation. The gallbladder could be identified in 37.5% (20-23 weeks) to 64.7% (24-27 weeks) after 20 weeks of gestation. The normal sonographic characteristics of the fetal gallbladder were described and the area of fetal gallbladder, the length and the width were measured, respectively. The ultrasonographic identification of the fetal gallbladder is a first step in antenatal detection of congenital anomalies affecting the gallbladder.