What condition is characterized by enlargement of the gallbladder due to bile duct obstruction?

The condition characterized by the enlargement of the gallbladder due to bile duct obstruction is known as a hydropic gallbladder. When there is an obstruction in the bile duct, the bile that normally flows from the liver to the gallbladder backs up, causing the gallbladder to fill with bile and become distended. This distension is referred to as hydropic, indicating an accumulation of fluid within the gallbladder.

Hydropic gallbladder can result from several causes, including a blockage from gallstones or strictures, leading to the swelling of the gallbladder as it accumulates bile that cannot be released properly. This situation is different from cholecystitis, which is inflammation of the gallbladder often related to infection or obstruction but does not specifically focus on the enlargement due to fluid accumulation. Cholelithiasis refers specifically to the presence of gallstones, while hepatomegaly refers to the enlargement of the liver and is not directly related to the gallbladder's size or condition.