American Board of Pathology (ABPath) Practice Test 2025 - Free Pathology Exam Practice Questions and Study Guide

The WES sign, which stands for "Wallenberg's sign," is seen in imaging studies of the abdomen, specifically in ultrasound or CT scans, and refers to the visualization of the gallbladder and surrounding structures. It is particularly associated with chronic cholecystitis. This sign occurs when there is a combination of a contracted gallbladder and the presence of gallstones, often due to the long-standing inflammatory changes in the gallbladder wall.

In chronic cholecystitis, the gallbladder becomes thickened due to inflammation and fibrosis, and the associated gallstones can obstruct the cystic duct, leading to the characteristic appearance on imaging. The WES sign reflects the relationship between the wall of the gallbladder, the stones within it, and the surrounding fluid or structures.

Other conditions such as acute pancreatitis, hepatic steatosis, or acute hepatitis do not present with the WES sign, as they involve different pathophysiological changes and do not lead to the specific radiological findings that define this sign. The key feature of the WES sign is its association with chronic inflammation of the gallbladder and the presence of gallstones, making chronic cholecystitis the correct answer.