Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia: correlation of preoperative cholecystokinin cholescintigraphy results with postoperative outcome

Functional gallbladder disorder: Interim analysis of a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Functional gallbladder disorder (FGBD) remains a controversial indication for cholecystectomy.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study enrolled patients strictly meeting Rome criteria for FGBD, and cholecystectomy was performed. They were assessed pre- and 3 and 6 months postoperatively with surveys of abdominal pain and quality of life (RAPID and SF-12 surveys, respectively). Interim analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Although neither ejection fraction nor pain reproduction predicted success after cholecystectomy, the vast majority of enrolled patients had a successful outcome after undergoing cholecystectomy for FGBD: of a planned 100 patients, 46 were enrolled. Of 31 evaluable patients, 26 (83.9 ​%) reported RAPID improvement and 28 (93.3 ​%) SF12 improvement at 3- or 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

FGBD, strictly diagnosed, should perhaps no longer be a controversial indication for cholecystectomy, since its success rate for biliary pain in this study was similar to that for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Larger-scale studies or randomized trials may confirm these findings.

Biliary hyperkinesia: an indication for cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND

The main indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy are stone-related diseases in adults. With a normal abdominal ultrasound (US), a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan with ejection fraction (EF) is recommended to evaluate gallbladder function. Biliary dyskinesia or low gallbladder EF (EF < 35%) is a recognized indication for cholecystectomy. Recent articles report long-term resolution of symptoms in children with high EFs on the HIDA scan. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the response of patients with biliary colic and hyperkinetic gallbladder to cholecystectomy. We suggest that laparoscopic cholecystectomy might be a considerable surgical option in a subset of the adult population whose workup for food-related biliary abdominal pain is negative except for the high-value EF on HIDA scan.

METHODS

Data were consecutively collected from all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between June 2012 and June 2019 at a single institution. Cases were identified using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Patients older than 17 years of age with the negative US (no stone, no sludge, no gallbladder wall thickening) and EF greater than 80% on cholecystokinin (CCK)-HIDA scan were included in this study. All patients were seen at 2 weeks and 10-16 months after surgeries.

RESULTS

Over 7 years from June 2012 until June 2019, of 2116 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 59 patients (2.78%) met study criteria. Postprandial abdominal pain was the most common symptom (43, 72.90%) followed by nausea/vomiting. Forty-seven patients (74.6%) had a reproduction of symptoms with CCK infusion. The average EF was 88.51%. Final pathology showed chronic cholecystitis in 41 (69.5%) patients, cholesterolosis in 13 (22%), polyp in 2 (3.4%). Thirty-six (61%) patients had complete resolution of symptoms, 9 (15%) patients had partial resolution, and 14 (24%) patients had no change. There was a complete resolution rate of 61% and an improvement rate of 76%.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with biliary symptoms, negative ultrasound, and elevated EF on HIDA scan (EF > 80%), laparoscopic cholecystectomy led to a significant rate of symptomatic relief. Interestingly, 94% also had unexpected pathologic findings. This disease process requires further analysis, but this could represent a new indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the adult population.

Ultrasound Image Based Human Gallbladder 3D Modelling along with Volume and Stress Level Assessment

Purpose

Three-dimensional (3D) gallbladder (GB) geometrical models are essential to GB motor function evaluation and GB wall biomechanical property identification by employing finite element analysis (FEA) in GB disease diagnosis with ultrasound systems. Methods for establishing such 3D geometrical models based on static two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound images scanned along the long-axis/sagittal and short-axis/transverse cross-sections in routine GB disease diagnosis at the beginning of emptying phase have not been documented in the literature so far.

Methods

Based on two custom MATLAB codes composed, two images were segmented manually to secure two sets of the scattered points for the long- and short-axis GB cross-section edges; and the points were best fitted with a piecewise cubic spline function, and the short-axis cross-section edges were lofted along the long-axis to yield a 3D geometrical model, then GB volume of the model was figured out. The model was read into SolidWorks for real surface generation and involved in ABAQUS for FEA.

Results

3D geometrical models of seven typical GB samples were established. Their GB volumes are with 15.5% and − 4.4% mean errors in comparison with those estimated with the ellipsoid model and sum-of-cylinders method but can be correlated to the latter very well. The maximum first principal in-plane stress in the 3D models is higher than in the ellipsoid model by a factor of 1.76.

Conclusions

A numerical method was put forward here to create 3D GB geometrical models and can be applied to GB disease diagnosis and GB shape analysis with principal component method potentially in the future.

Biliary hyperkinesia, a new diagnosis or misunderstood pathophysiology of dyskinesia: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Biliary colic, characterized by intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain is a common complaint in the United States population. Patients whose pain is undiagnosed by ultrasound generally undergo hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan with cholecystokinin stimulation (HIDA-CCK) to assess function of the gallbladder and biliary tree. Traditionally, two outcomes are possible based on a measured ejection fraction of the gallbladder: either dyskinesia or normal function is diagnosed. Biliary dyskinesia, or hypokinesia of the gallbladder, is accepted as an ejection fraction less than 35%, while an accepted normal functioning gallbladder ejection fraction is greater than 35%.

CASE

We report a case of a fifteen-year-old female who had functional gallbladder disease per Rome IV criteria due to intermittent biliary colic, with exception to the ejection fraction measurement which was elevated at 96.5%. She underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with complete symptom resolution.

DISCUSSION

As demonstrated in the literature reviewed here, these subsets of patients, who present with normal to high ejection fractions, have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy with resolution of pain in several case studies.

CONCLUSION

Many unknown variables still exist due to lack of prospective studies, most notably the pathophysiology and definitive indications for surgical treatment. As such, we propose that surgical options should not be limited to those who display the traditional findings of biliary dyskinesia, but also patients who demonstrate typical symptoms with normal to elevated ejection fraction, following work up to rule out the extensive differential diagnoses for right upper quadrant abdominal pain.

Is functional gallbladder disease truly increasing? Results from the Rochester Epidemiology Project

INTRODUCTION

Reports from US administrative databases showed an increase in cholecystectomy rate for functional gallbladder disorder (FGBD), a disease is not well recognized elsewhere. We aimed to identify the incidence and cholecystectomy rate for FGBD in an epidemiologically well-defined and prospectively studied population and compare results to published data.

METHODS

After IRB approval, we extracted data from the NIH funded Rochester Epidemiology Project. We used ICD-9 codes (575.8) and (575.9) to identify patients with FGBD from 2000 to 2014.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2014 we identified 253 patients with specified ICD-9 codes and no stones among a population of 135,000. Based on their medical records, 24 patients had confirmed FGBD, the incidence was 1.77/10,000 and cholecystectomy rate was for these patients was 70%.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of FGBD was much lower than State data with similar cholecystectomy rate. Additional investigation may be needed to understand if cholecystectomy rate is truly increasing.

Impaired Gallbladder Motility and Increased Gallbladder Wall Thickness in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Along with the increase in the incidence of NAFLD and associated obesity, an increase in gallbladder disease (GD) has been noted. This has led to the identification of a new disease entity called fatty GD. There is a gap in the literature on the dynamics of gallbladder function in patients with NAFLD.

METHODS

An observational case-control study, a total of 50 patients with biopsy proven NAFLD without gallbladder stone/sludge and 38 healthy comparison subjects were enrolled. Fasting, postprandial gallbladder volumes (PGV), gallbladder ejection fraction (GEF), and fasting gallbladder wall thickness (FGWT) were measured by real-time 2-dimensional ultrasonography.

RESULTS

Fasting gallbladder wall thickness, fasting gallbladder volumes and PGV were significantly higher in patients with NAFLD than control subjects (P < 0.001, P = 0.006, and P < 0.001, respectively). Gallbladder ejection fraction was significantly lower in the NAFLD group than the controls (P = 0.008). The presence of NAFLD was an independent predictor for GEF, PGV, and FGWT. Also, steatosis grade was an independent predictor for GEF, and GEF was significantly lower in the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) subgroup than the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallbladder dysfunction and increase in gallbladder wall thickness exists in asymptomatic (without stone/sludge and related symptoms) patients with NAFLD and are useful in identifying fatty GD. Measurement of these variables in NAFLD patients may be useful in identifying those at higher risk for GD.

Gallbladder dysfunction: how much longer will it be controversial?

BACKGROUND

Motility disorders of the biliary tree [biliary dyskinesia, including both gallbladder dysfunction (GBD), and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction] are difficult to diagnose and to treat.

SUMMARY

There is controversy in the literature in particular regarding the criteria that should be used to select patients for cholecystectomy (CCY) in cases of suspected GBD. The current review covers the history, diagnosis, and treatment of GBD. Key Messages: Only >85% of patients with suspected GBD have relief following CCY, a much lower rate than the nearly 100% success rate following CCY for gallstone disease. Unfortunately, the literature is lacking, and there are no universally agreed-upon criteria for selecting which patients to refer for operation, although cholecystokinin (CCK)-enhanced hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan is often used, with emphasis on an abnormally low gallbladder ejection fraction or pain reproduction at CCK administration. There is a clear need for large, well-designed, more definitive, prospective studies to better identify the indications for and efficacy of CCY in cases of GBD.

Cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia: how did we get there?

BACKGROUND

The focus of biliary dyskinesia (BD) shifted within the last 30 years, moving from symptoms after cholecystectomy (CCY) to symptoms with morphological normal gallbladder, but low gallbladder ejection fraction.

METHODS

We searched the pubmed database to systematically review studies focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder dysfunction.

RESULTS

Impaired gallbladder contraction can be found in about 20% of healthy controls and an even higher number of patients with various other disorders. Surgery for BD increased after introduction of laparoscopic CCY, with BD now accounting for >20% of CCY in adults and up to 60% in pediatric patients. The majority of cases reported were operated in the USA, which differs from surgical series for cholelithiasis. Postoperative outcomes do not differ between groups with abnormal or normal gallbladder function.

CONCLUSION

Functional gallbladder testing should not be seen as an indicator of relevant biliary tract disease or prognostic marker to identify patients who may benefit from operative intervention. Instead biliary dyskinesia should be considered as a part of a spectrum of functional disorders, which are generally managed conservatively. Small proof of concept studies have demonstrated effects of medical therapy on biliary dysfunction and should thus be never tested in appropriately designed trials.

Pain provocation and low gallbladder ejection fraction with CCK cholescintigraphy are not predictive of chronic acalculous gallbladder disease symptom relief after cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Chronic acalculous gallbladder disease (CAGD) falls within the spectrum of diseases associated with gallbladder dysmotility. Cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy (CCK-CS) has been used to evaluate for CAGD, with a gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) of <35 % being indicative of gallbladder dysfunction. The reproduction of biliary colic upon administration of CCK has been cited as indicative of CAGD. Our purpose was to determine whether low GBEF or reproduction of pain during CCK-CS was predictor of surgical outcomes related to resolution of symptoms or as a correlate to gallbladder pathology.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients was performed to evaluate adults with a diagnosis of CAGD who underwent CCK-CS prior to surgical intervention. CPT and ICD-9 coding queries were used to identify the patient population. Patients with cholelithiasis were excluded.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients met inclusion criteria. Two patients were lost to follow-up and were excluded. During CCK-CS, 41 patients (66 %) reported symptoms similar to their presenting complaint. Twenty-one patients reported no symptoms with CCK-CS. There was no significant relationship between gallbladder pathology and either GBEF or reproduction of symptoms with CCK-CS (p = 0.14). About 81 % of patients (n = 50) had relief of symptoms following cholecystectomy. Sixty-six percentage of patients (n = 33) with long-term symptom relief after cholecystectomy had reproduction of symptoms with CCK-CS. Nineteen percentage of all patients (n = 12) had long-term symptom recurrence despite surgery. Eight of these patients (66 %) had symptom reproduction with CCK-CS. There was no significant correlation with either the GBEF or symptoms reproduction with CCK-CS as a predictor of postoperative outcome (p = 0.12).

CONCLUSION

Provocation of pain by CCK-CS and low GBEF are unreliable predictors of postoperative relief of symptoms following cholecystectomy for biliary dyskinesia or chronic acalculous gallbladder disease.

Does concomitant cholecystectomy at time of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass impact adverse operative outcomes?

BACKGROUND

We hypothesized that patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with concomitant cholecystectomy (RYGB + C) would be at greater risk for adverse events compared to patients undergoing RYGB alone.

METHODS

Patients who underwent a RYGB were identified in the 2005-2009 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database. Multivariate logistic regression with adjustment for confounding variables was utilized to identify risk factors for mortality at 30 days, major adverse events, and prolonged length of stay (PLOS).

RESULTS

We identified 32,946 patients who underwent RYGB; of these, 1,731 (5.2%) underwent RYGB + C. Overall, RYGB + C was a risk factor for predicting major adverse events following laparoscopic but not open procedures. Regardless of approach, PLOS was more common among RYGB + C patients following adjustment. Overall mortality at 30 days was low and did not vary with concomitant cholecystectomy following adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk for major adverse events is significantly greater for RYGB + C patients following laparoscopic procedures, and the risk for PLOS is greater for RYGB + C patients following both open and laparoscopic procedures. The short-term risks identified in this study can assist in decision-making when considering concomitant cholecystectomy at the time of RYGB.

Normokinetic biliary dyskinesia: a novel diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Biliary dyskinesia diagnosed with CCK-HIDA scan and ejection fraction less than 35 % has been successfully treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, a population of patients with symptomatic biliary pain and a normal CCK-HIDA scan never receive a diagnosis, and thus no definitive treatment. Some of these patients report a reproducible pain during their CCK-HIDA scan. It is hypothesized that these patients have a novel diagnosis, normokinetic biliary dyskinesia, and may have resolution of pain when treated with cholecystectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was completed looking for patients with biliary pain in accordance with the ROME III criteria. Additional inclusion criteria were (1) greater than age 18 years, (2) reproducible biliary symptoms during the CCK-HIDA scan, and (3) an ejection fraction greater than 35 %. Treatment modality was laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Descriptive statistics were preformed, and data were reported as mean ± standard deviation and range.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients met the inclusion criteria for this study from August 2008 to July 2011. There were 15 women and 4 men with a mean age of 48.4 ± 13.0 years. The mean ejection fraction was 75.1 ± 19.4 %. The average duration of preoperative symptoms was 6.8 ± 5.9 months and postoperative follow-up was 21.8 ± 10.6 months. Seventeen patients had complete resolution of symptoms, one had partial resolution, and one had no change. There was a complete resolution rate of 89.5 % and an improvement rate of 94.7 %.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggest that patients who present with biliary pain, a normal CCK-HIDA scan with an ejection fraction greater than 35 %, and with reproducible symptoms on infusion of CCK could have a novel diagnosis: normokinetic biliary dyskinesia. Currently, these patients are excluded from the diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia and thus treatment. We hypothesize a potential new diagnosis, suggest cholecystectomy as treatment, and recommend a prospective study design for further evaluation.

Management of gallstones and gallbladder disease in patients undergoing gastric bypass

The appropriate management of gallstones and gallbladder disease in patients undergoing gastric bypass remains unknown. Several therapeutic modalities are used and include performing cholecystectomy on all patients at the time of gastric bypass, performing concomitant cholecystectomy only when patients have gallstones and performing cholecystectomy only in the presence of both symptoms and gallstones. Some groups administer ursodeoxycholic acid for gallstone prevention in the postoperative period. All treatment modalities are analyzed and their results and rationality are discussed.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Biliary Dyskinesia in Children: Report of 100 Cases from a Single Institution

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is increasingly performed in the pediatric population. Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is largely responsible for this increase and is presently the most common indication for LC in this age group. In our institution the diagnosis of BD is made in patients with biliary symptoms, absence of biliary stones, and an ejection fraction <35 per cent on hydroxy iminoadiacetic acid (HIDA) scan. We reviewed our experience of 100 children with BD that underwent LC. Data that was prospectively collected and entered into electronic medical records by gastroenterologists, primary care physicians, and pediatric surgeons was reviewed and analyzed. Patients were symptomatic for an average of 15 months before undergoing surgery. Seventy-seven per cent reported resolution of symptoms from 6 months to 5 years following LC, whereas the rest complained of persistent symptomatology. When the two groups were compared, patients with persistent symptoms were more likely to be female and to have longer symptom duration. An ejection fraction <35 per cent reliably predicts successful outcome of LC in patients with BD. The diagnosis of BD should be entertained early in the differential of functional abdominal pain in children and referred to Pediatric Surgery when its presence is confirmed.

Cholecystosteatosis: an explanation for increased cholecystectomy rates

INTRODUCTION

Over the past decade, obesity has become epidemic, and the number of cholecystectomies as well as the percentage with acalculous cholecystitis have increased. We have recently reported that congenitally obese mice and lean mice fed a high fat diet have increased gallbladder wall lipids and poor gallbladder emptying. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that compared to patients with a normal gallbladder, patients with both acalculous and calculous cholecystitis would have increased gallbladder wall fat.

METHODS

Sixteen patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acalculous cholecystitis were identified. Sixteen nondiseased controls who underwent incidental cholecystectomy during surgery for liver or pancreatic disease and 16 diseased controls whose gallbladder was removed for chronic calculous cholecystitis were chosen to match the acalculous patients for gender and Body Mass Index. Pathology specimens were reviewed in a blinded fashion for gallbladder wall fat, thickness, and inflammation.

RESULTS

Acalculous cholecystitis patients were younger (p < 0.01) than nondiseased or diseased controls. Gallbladder wall fat was significantly increased (p < 0.02) in the acalculous and calculous cholecystitis patients compared to the nondiseased controls. Gallbladder wall thickness (p < 0.02) and inflammatory score (p < 0.01) were highest in the calculous cholecystitis patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest that compared to nondiseased controls, (1) patients with acalculous cholecystitis are younger and have increased gallbladder fat and (2) patients with calculous cholecystitis have increased gallbladder fat and inflammation. We conclude that increased gallbladder fat may lead to poor gallbladder emptying and biliary symptoms. Thus, cholecystosteatosis may explain, in part, the increased need for cholecystectomy and the higher percentage of these patients with acalculous cholecystitis.

The role of (99m)technetium-labelled hepato imino diacetic acid (HIDA) scan in the management of biliary pain

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the basis of an abnormal provocative (99m)technetium-labelled hepato imino diacetic acid (HIDA) scan for patients with typical biliary pain and normal trans-abdominal ultrasound (TUS) scan.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospective data were collected for 1201 consecutive patients with typical biliary symptoms. Patients who were found to have a normal TUS and upper GI endoscopy subsequently underwent cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan). Patients with an abnormal HIDA scan, i.e.<40% ejection fraction with Sincalide (cholecystokinin octapeptide)--were offered cholecystectomy. Symptoms and histology were reviewed postoperatively.

RESULTS

In all, 48/1201 (4%) patients with typical biliary symptoms had a normal ultrasound and endoscopy; 35/48 patients had an abnormal provocative HIDA scan and all underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Histology in all cases revealed chronic cholecystitis and 18 patients had sludge or microlithiasis within the gallbladder. At 6-week follow-up, 31 of the 35 patients were completely asymptomatic or improved. Furthermore, 79% of patients remained symptom-free or improved at a median follow-up of 28.5 months (range 4-70).

CONCLUSIONS

HIDA scan is a useful clinical tool as an adjunct to the diagnosis and management of patients who present with typical biliary pain and a normal TUS scan.