Gallbladder contractility and volume characteristics in gallstone dyspepsia

Role of 99mTc-HIDA Scan for Assessment of Gallbladder Dyskinesia and Comparison of Gallbladder Dyskinesia with Various Parameters in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Patients

OBJECTIVES

Pathogenesis of gallstone includes bile stasis due to defect in the gallbladder muscle contraction. Our aim of the study is to find out the role of 99mTc-HIDA scan in assessment of gallbladder dyskinesia in cholelithiasis patients before laparoscopic cholecystectomy and compare the gallbladder dyskinesia with various parameters like symptoms of patients, diabetic status of patients, gallstones size and number, and cholecystitis features in histopathology report after surgery.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This is a prospective observational study conducted at our hospital for three years. Totally 40 patients with gallstone were subjected to 99mTc-HIDA scan, to assess the ejection fraction of gallbladder. For all these patients detailed clinical history, presence of comorbid illness like diabetics, and symptomatology were elicited. For all patients, ultrasonogram of abdomen was done to assess number and size of stones. All parameters were tabulated and correlated.

RESULT

While comparing 99mTc-HIDA scan findings with symptoms of patients, 21.2% were asymptomatic and 78.8% symptomatic patients who had ejection fraction less than 80%. All patients in EF >80% group were symptomatic only. It is not statistically significant. On comparing 99mTc-HIDA scan findings with diabetic status of the patients, 42.4% of diabetic and 57.6 % of nondiabetic patients had ejection fraction less than 80%. It is not statistically significant (0.681). While comparing 99mTc-HIDA scan findings with size of the gallstone in ultrasound, 63.6% patients with size less than 1cm and 36.4% with size more than 1cm had ejection fraction < 80%. It is statistically significant (0.048). On comparing 99mTc-HIDA scan findings with number of stones in ultrasound, 18.2% single gallstone patients and 81.8% multiple gallstone patients had EF less than 80% which is statistically significant (0.001). While comparing the 99mTc-HIDA scan findings with histopathology report after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 21.2% non-cholecystitis patients and 78.8% cholecystitis patients had EF less than 80%, which is statistically (0.017) significant.

CONCLUSION

99mTc-HIDA scan can be an accurate method to diagnose the gallbladder dyskinesia. Gallbladder dyskinesia in 99mTc-HIDA scan can be used to predict large size stones and multiple stones before surgery. The sensitivity can be improved by 99mTc-HIDA scan in diagnosing cholecystitis patients.

Ultrasonography analysis of gallbladder motility in patients with functional dyspepsia

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder motility has been studied in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and biliary disorders without gallstones and results of these observations are often inconclusive and conflicting.

METHODS

The investigation was performed on 180 therapy-naïve newly diagnosed patients with functional dyspepsia (97 females and 83 males), aged 20-79 in which we have investigate ultrasonographically parameters of gallbladder motility.

RESULTS

Bonferroni post hoc correction stressed that fasting gallbladder volume and ejection fraction were significantly distorted in individuals with postprandial distress syndrome, although, the residual gallbladder volume was significantly lower in patients with epigastric pain syndrome comparing with other examinees. Ejection fraction of the gallbladder negatively correlated with body mass index.

CONCLUSION

The impaired contractibility of the gall bladder in patients with functional dyspepsia, based on the results of this study, is illustrated by the changes in the ejection fraction, which was more pronounced in patients with the postprandial distress syndrome.

Population of anatomically variable 4D XCAT adult phantoms for imaging research and optimization

PURPOSE

The authors previously developed the 4D extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantom for multimodality imaging research. The XCAT consisted of highly detailed whole-body models for the standard male and female adult, including the cardiac and respiratory motions. In this work, the authors extend the XCAT beyond these reference anatomies by developing a series of anatomically variable 4D XCAT adult phantoms for imaging research, the first library of 4D computational phantoms.

METHODS

The initial anatomy of each phantom was based on chest-abdomen-pelvis computed tomography data from normal patients obtained from the Duke University database. The major organs and structures for each phantom were segmented from the corresponding data and defined using nonuniform rational B-spline surfaces. To complete the body, the authors manually added on the head, arms, and legs using the original XCAT adult male and female anatomies. The structures were scaled to best match the age and anatomy of the patient. A multichannel large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping algorithm was then used to calculate the transform from the template XCAT phantom (male or female) to the target patient model. The transform was applied to the template XCAT to fill in any unsegmented structures within the target phantom and to implement the 4D cardiac and respiratory models in the new anatomy. Each new phantom was refined by checking for anatomical accuracy via inspection of the models.

RESULTS

Using these methods, the authors created a series of computerized phantoms with thousands of anatomical structures and modeling cardiac and respiratory motions. The database consists of 58 (35 male and 23 female) anatomically variable phantoms in total. Like the original XCAT, these phantoms can be combined with existing simulation packages to simulate realistic imaging data. Each new phantom contains parameterized models for the anatomy and the cardiac and respiratory motions and can, therefore, serve as a jumping point from which to create an unlimited number of 3D and 4D variations for imaging research.

CONCLUSIONS

A population of phantoms that includes a range of anatomical variations representative of the public at large is needed to more closely mimic a clinical study or trial. The series of anatomically variable phantoms developed in this work provide a valuable resource for investigating 3D and 4D imaging devices and the effects of anatomy and motion in imaging. Combined with Monte Carlo simulation programs, the phantoms also provide a valuable tool to investigate patient-specific dose and image quality, and optimization for adults undergoing imaging procedures.

Gallbladder function and dynamics of bile flow in asymptomatic gallstone disease

AIM: To investigate the effects of gallbladder stones on motor functions of the gallbladder and the dynamics of bile flow in asymptomatic gallstone disease.

METHODS: Quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy was performed to detect the parameters of gallbladder motor function [gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF), gallbladder visualization time (GBVT), gallbladder time to peak activity (GBT_max), gallbladder half emptying time (GBT_1/2), and transit time of bile to duodenum (TTBD)] in 24 patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis who were diagnosed incidentally during routine abdominal ultrasonographic examination and 20 healthy subjects with normal gallbladder.

RESULTS: Even though there was no significant difference in the clinical and laboratory parameters between the patient and control groups, all parameters of gallbladder function except TTBD were found to differ significantly between the two groups. GBEF in the patient group was decreased (P = 0.000) and GBVT, GBT_max, GBT_1/2 in the patient group were longer (P = 0.000, P = 0.015, P = 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Our results showed that even if there were not any clinical and laboratory findings, gallbladder filling and emptying could be impaired in patients with gallstone disease.

Long-chain saturated fatty acids consumption and risk of gallstone disease among men

BACKGROUND

Various saturated fatty acids have different effects on blood lipids and insulin secretion in experiments. The effect of long-term consumption of specific and different classes of saturated fatty acids on the risk of gallstone disease in humans is unknown.

METHODS

We prospectively studied consumption of saturated fatty acids and risk of gallstone disease in a cohort of 44,524 US men from 1986 to 2002. Intake of saturated fatty acids was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Newly diagnosed gallstone disease was ascertained biennially.

RESULTS

During 584,679 person-years of follow-up, we documented 2350 incident cases of gallstone disease, of which 1387 cases required cholecystectomy. Compared with men in the lowest quintile of dietary intake of long-chain saturated fats, after adjustment for age and other potential risk factors, the relative risk of gallstone disease for men in the highest quintile was 1.24 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02, 1.50, P for trend = 0.03], and the relative risk of cholecystectomy for men in the highest quintile was 1.41 (CI, 1.09, 1.82, P for trend = 0.008). Consumption of medium-chain saturated fatty acids or short-chain saturated fatty acids was unrelated to the risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that a higher consumption of long-chain saturated fatty acids may enhance the risk of gallstone disease in men.

The influence of gallbladder function on the symptomatology in gallstone patients, and the outcome after cholecystectomy or expectancy

The purpose of this study was to examine whether gallbladder function as assessed by a hepatobiliary scintigraphy was related to the symptomatology in gallstone patients and to the outcome 1 year after either cholecystectomy or watchful waiting. The study included 100 patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease. Fifty-six patients had a functioning gallbladder and 44 had a nonfunctioning gallbladder. Patients with a nonfunctioning gallbladder had significantly more vomiting and received more pain-killing injections during pain attacks. Otherwise, there were no differences in pain patterns or characteristics of dyspeptic symptoms in relation to gallbladder function. In patients with a functioning gallbladder, there were no significant differences between the group of patients with impaired and normal gallbladder function. Cholecystectomy was performed in 69 patients and at the 1-year follow-up; 22% continued to have pain attacks, but this was not related to the gallbladder function preoperatively. In 31 patients without cholecystectomy, 14 patients became asymptomatic within a 1-year follow-up. However, this was not related to gallbladder function. In conclusion, gallbladder function evaluated by a hepatobiliary scintigraphy was not related to the symptoms in gallstone patients, and was not related to the occurrence of symptoms after cholecystectomy or watchful waiting.

Ultrasonographic evaluation of fatty meal stimulated gallbladder contraction in the diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia in children

AIM

Biliary dyskinesia (BD) is characterized by symptoms of biliary disease, no evidence of gallstones on ultrasonography (USG), and diminished gallbladder ejection fraction. The diagnosis is based on findings of abnormal gallbladder ejection fraction diagnosed by hepatobiliary scintigraphy before and after stimulation of gallbladder contraction with cholecystokinin (CCK). We used an easier diagnostic technique defined as ultrasonographic evaluation of fatty meal stimulated gallbladder contraction, employing USG with the diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia in children. The study was conducted by USG to investigate the volume and contractility of the gallbladder (GB) in fasting conditions and 45 min after a standardized fatty meal (SFM) in normal children and in a group of BD patients, and to compare the diagnostic value of this test with scintigraphy and to evaluate its use as a new method in the diagnostic algorithm of BD.

METHODS

We assessed the volume changes and contractility of the GB in response to SFM by USG in 14 patients with BD diagnosed by cholecystokinin stimulated hepatobiliary scintigraphy (CCKs-HBS); and compared them with 14 control patients matched for age and gender before cholecystectomy. After an overnight fasting, GB volume was measured by USG then the GB volume was again measured after the SFM ingestion. Using USG, length, width and height of GB were measured, and volume of the GB was calculated using the 'Dodds' formula. These volume measurements were used to calculate the percentage of gallbladder emptying (ejection fraction). Fasting, after SFM and EF values comparisons between groups were done with student's t-test.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference of fasting GB volumes were demonstrated between BD and control groups (14.1+/-6.7 cm3 and 13.4+/-4.0 cm3 respectively). GB volumes of the BD group after SFM were significantly greater than in healthy controls (13.1+/-1.8 cm3 and 3.4+/-0.9 cm3 respectively, P<0.0005). The calculated percentage of gallbladder contraction (ejection fraction) was found to be lower in BD patients than in healthy controls (7.1%+/-1.8% and 73.8%+/-6.4%, respectively, P<0.0005).

CONCLUSION

Ultrasonographic evaluation of fatty meal stimulated gallbladder contraction provides relatively reliable and reproducible results. Thus it can be used for scanning in patients with biliary symptoms as a prior modality to CCK-HBS since it is a relatively easier, safer and available method with which to make a definitive diagnosis of BD. The patients with symptoms of biliary disease and no evidence of gallstones on USG should be evaluated by the method proposed in this study before the routine laboratory and radiologic tests.