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PURPOSE: Current guidelines for sincalide-stimulated cholescintigraphy (SSC) call for a 60-minute sincalide infusion, and a gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) ≥38% is considered normal. In this retrospective study, we hypothesize that most patients reach a normal GBEF by 30 minutes. METHODS: Eligible patients had undergone a 60-minute SSC from January to December 2019. The clinical SSC data were previously processed on a Xeleris workstation (GE Healthcare). In subjects with GBEF ≥38% based on standard SSC, the GBEF at 20 minutes and 30 minutes were retrospectively calculated using manual pixel height measurements. Receiving operating characteristic was analyzed to determine the best GBEF cutoff at 30 minutes. RESULTS: Of 302 subjects, mean age of 46 ± 17 years, 33 (10.9%) showed an abnormal GBEF <38% suggestive of functional gallbladder disorder. In the remaining 269 patients (89.1%) with a normal GBEF, 60.6% and 86.6% reached a normal GBEF at 20 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. Moreover, a GBEF threshold >29.1% at 30 minutes was associated with a negative predictive value of 99.6%, indicating that a 60-minute SSC was not necessary. The GBEF values were not associated with sex, age, patient symptoms, or type of referral. Manually calculated GBEFs on the time-activity curve showed excellent correlation with the primary values. We propose a modified workflow that splits the 60-minute SSC into two 30-minute image sets to allow for a screening GBEF at 30 minutes. If GBEF is >29.1% at 30 minutes, the second image set may be stopped, and the examination is complete. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients (77.2%) undergoing the standard 60-minute SSC reach a normal GBEF already by 30 minutes. The proposed workflow shortens the SCC procedure by 30 minutes, while maintaining high diagnostic accuracy and contributing to improved procedure efficiency and reduced patient discomfort as well as symptoms.

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OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether abdominal ultrasound (US) with a gallbladder (GB) contractility study or motor function test can be used as a diagnostic tool in patients with dengue and warning signs in acute and recovery phases. METHODS: Fifty-one individuals in the acute phase of dengue presenting with warning signs (dengue group) and 49 healthy individuals without a history of dengue or hepatobiliary disease (control group) were studied with abdominal US and a GB contractility study. RESULTS: Statistical differences in US measurements of the liver (right lobe, P = .012; left lobe, P = .001) and spleen (P = .008) dimensions, GB wall thickness (P < .001), and the GB emptying fraction (P < .001) were observed in dengue during the acute phase compared with the control group. After 60 days, abdominal US of the dengue group showed a statistical difference in liver (right lobe, P < .001; left lobe, P = .078) and spleen (P < .001) dimensions, GB wall thickness, and the GB emptying fraction (P < .001) compared with the results obtained during the acute phase. Furthermore, a statistical difference in the spleen volume and GB emptying fraction (P < .001) was observed when comparing dengue after clinical recovery and the control group. Abdominal pain in patients with dengue was positively associated with hepatomegaly (P = .031), splenomegaly (P = .008), increased GB wall thickness (P = .016), and a reduced GB emptying fraction (P = .038) during the acute phase and with splenomegaly (P = .001) and a reduced GB emptying fraction (P = .003) after clinical recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal US with a GB motor function test can be used as a diagnostic tool in patients with dengue during acute and recovery phases.

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A 25-year-old man was referred for chronic right upper quadrant abdominal pain for hepatobiliary scintigraphy to evaluate the gallbladder (GB) function. An unexpected GB contraction with ejection fraction (EF) of 90% was observed during the first hour of baseline imaging. Subsequent stimulation with sincalide produced GB EF of 99%. A similar case previously reported also showed normal unexpected GB EF that predicted similar post-sincalide GB EF. These examples support what should be evident: A normal unexpected GB EF is a sufficient evidence for a normal GB function and should obviate need for sincalide stimulation.

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OBJECTIVES: Intermittent unavailability of sincalide for determination of gallbladder ejection fraction (GBEF) prompted increased usage of fatty meal cholecystagogues (FMCs). The aim of this systematic review was to identify the state of current FMC options in cholescintigraphy, focusing on the quality of corresponding normal GBEF values. METHODS: We performed an extensive literature search of the MEDLINE, Cochrane, and CINAHL databases without date or language restrictions with a broad spectrum of search terms. Selection criteria required both that the study use a FMC as part of a stimulated GBEF examination to gather data on normal volunteers or patients without evidence of gastrointestinal disease and that the meal used be described sufficiently for emulation. A cumulative point system was used to grade the quality of normal GBEF values: 1 point for screening ultrasound, 1 point for detailed screening questionnaire, 1 point for 20 or greater number of participants in a study, 1 additional point for 60 or greater number of participants in a study, 0.5 points for cursory screening questions, and 0 points when no screening process was mentioned. The meal was expressed in grams of fat per volume, when available. RESULTS: Twelve studies met inclusion criteria out of 15 studies claiming to report normal values. Two studies (17%) achieved a score of 3, 5 studies (42%) at 2 to 2.5, 3 studies (25%) at 1 to 1.5, and the remaining 2 studies (17%) at 0 to 0.5. Total number of participants examined ranged from 6 to 100. Meal composition varied widely. In 1 study, sham feeding was used. Most meals had components that could present problems to patients with relatively common dietary restrictions (ie, lactose intolerance, egg protein allergy, etc). Results for proposed normal values varied widely (from 16.3% to 85.6%). The commercial fatty meal products of Humana Infant Formula 1 and Ensure Plus offered the highest-quality normal values. CONCLUSIONS: There is a need to establish high-quality normal GBEF range for a ubiquitous fatty meal (ie, a meal that would be widely available, easy to prepare, inexpensive, and free of sensitivity-provoking ingredients). A corn oil emulsion, has immense potential as an ideal FMC, limited currently only by its lack of established normal values. Currently, the highest-quality normal GBEF values available for FMC exist for 2 commercial products, Humana Infant Formula 1 and Ensure Plus. However, these products may not be readily available at some institutions, and neither one is free from dietary restrictions.

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BACKGROUND: Gallstones have been frequently diagnosed after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP). Gallbladder stasis associated with duodenal exclusion may play a role in their pathogenesis. METHODS: Gallbladder emptying was studied before and on the 30th and 31st postoperative days (POD) after RYGBP in 20 morbidly obese patients. Gallbladder volume after fasting and every 15 min during a 2-h period following administration of a standard liquid meal was determined by sonography. On the 31st POD, the meal was administered through the gastrostomy in order to promote its transit through the duodenum. Fasting volume (FV), maximum ejection fraction (Max EF), and residual volume (RV) were determined. Biliary sludge and calculi were investigated after 1 and 6 months, respectively. RESULTS: FV was 39.4 +/- 20.2 ml, 50.1 +/- 22.7 ml, and 47.9 +/- 23.4 ml, respectively, for the preoperative and two postoperative assessments (P = 0.09). RV was 7.6 +/- 8.7 ml, 25.1 +/- 20.0 ml, and 24.6 +/- 20.9 ml; and Max EF was 80.5 +/- 20.9%, 54.3 +/- 21.4%, and 50.5 +/- 29.0%, respectively, for the pre-, postoral, and postgastrostomy infusion measurements. There was only a significant difference between the preoperative value and the two postoperative values (P < 0.001). Biliary sludge was detected in 65% of the patients and 46% of them subsequently developed gallstones. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder emptying became significantly compromised after RYGBP. This impairment was unrelated to duodenal exclusion but it was associated with biliary sludge and stone formation.

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PURPOSE: To determine gallbladder volume with sonography during fasting and in response to a fatty meal in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) and compare the results with those obtained in healthy controls. METHOD: Forty-three patients with SCI and 40 healthy volunteers without clinical evidence of gallbladder disease underwent sonography before and 30 and 60 minutes after the ingestion of a standard fatty meal. The gallbladder fasting volume, resting volume, and gallbladder contractility were calculated, and the results were compared. Correlation between gallbladder contractility and level of lesion, time since injury, use of oxybutynin, and body mass index (BMI) was also assessed. RESULTS: The mean ejection fraction was significantly lower in the patients with SCIs (40%) compared with healthy controls (63%) (p < 0.001). Gallbladder mean residual volume 60 minutes after ingestion of the fatty meal was lower in the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Gallbladder contractility is impaired in patients with SCI, which may predispose these patients to gallstone formation. There was no correlation between gallbladder contractility and level of the lesion, time since injury, use of oxybutynin, or BMI.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate gallbladder motility in constipated children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on pediatric patients with refractory constipation examined in a pediatric gastroenterology unit of a teaching hospital between January 2005 and August 2006. All of the patients seen during the period were included (age range, 2-16 years). The control group, matched for sex and age, was selected among patients seen at the same basic health units where patients were seen before being referred to pediatric gastroenterologists. A gallbladder contractility index was calculated based on fasting and postprandial gallbladder areas, using an ultrasonographic method. Ultrasonography studies were performed prospectively and blindly by the same physician. Measurements obtained in patients were compared with those obtained in controls. RESULTS: A total of 132 constipated children and the same number of healthy controls were included in the study. Median and mean fasting gallbladder areas were similar in patients and controls. Postprandial gallbladder areas were larger in the patient group, mean +/- SD = 594.8 +/- 206.4 mm, median, 562.5 mm, than in the control group, mean +/- SD = 541.1 +/- 156.1 mm, median, 530.5 mm; P = .031. Logistic regression showed that the risk of a contractility index <25% was 5.2 times greater in patients (odds ratio [OR] 5.2; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5-10.81) than in controls. Age was found to be a protective factor (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.71-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder motility disorder was identified in a group of children with severe constipation. This finding may contribute to the understanding of functional constipation in children.

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Since impaired gallbladder emptying contributes to gallstone formation, the evaluation of gallbladder motility requires accurate methodology. Recently developed 3-dimensional ultrasonography may take into account various gallbladder shapes more accurately than conventional 2-dimensional ultrasonography. Therefore, volumes of water-filled balloons of various sizes were determined in vitro by 2-dimensional ultrasonography with the sum of cylinders method and by 3-dimensional ultrasonography. Also, in 15 gallstone patients and 6 healthy volunteers, fasting gallbladder volumes and postprandial motility were determined by both methods. Volumes of water-filled balloons as measured by both methods correlated strongly with true volumes (R= 0.93 for 2-dimensional and R = 0.98 for 3- dimensional ultrasonography). Gallbladder volumes measured by both methods were also correlated (R = 0.66, P <0.001). In gallstone patients, 3-dimensional ultrasonography yielded smaller gallbladder volumes than 2-dimensional ultrasonography (P = 0.007), but not in healthy subjects. With both methods, gallstone patients exhibited decreased postprandial gallbladder motility compared to healthy subjects. In conclusion, gallbladder volume measurements by 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional ultrasonography are strongly correlated.Nevertheless, in gallstone patients, gallbladder volumes by 3-dimensional ultrasonography tend to be smaller than by 2-dimensional ultrasonography, possibly due to interference of gallstones with the volume measurement.

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La fragmentación de cálculos vesiculares por ondas de choque extracorpóreas es otra de las variantes terapéuticas no quirúrgicas a tener en cuenta en esta entidad. Se estudiaron 1 957 pacientes remitidos de todo el país con el diagnóstico de litiasis vesicular en una consulta especializada creada el efecto en el Hospital Clínico Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras. Se seleccionaron 626 (32 por ciento) y se siguieron inicialmente los criterios del Grupo de Munich; 479 (76,6 por ciento) del sexo femenino y 147 (23,4 por ciento) del masculino. En 125 pacientes (20,0 por ciento) la edad sobrepasó los 60 años. No se incluyeron 672 por componente litiásico grande (50,4 por ciento); 276 por vesícula excluida en la colecistografía oral (20,8(por ciento) y 212 por vaciamiento vesicular insuficiente (16,0 por ciento). La hipertensión arterial (67,0), la diabetes melitus (45,0 por ciento) y la cardiopatía isquémica (28,0 por ciento) fueron las enfermedades asociadas más frecuentes en los seleccionados; en ellos predominaron los cálculos únicos (71,7 por ciento), de hasta 20 mm de diámetro (65,7 por ciento), radiotransparentes (83 por ciento) y con densidades inferiores a las 50 unidades Houndsfield (60,5 por ciento)(AU)

The fragmentation of gallstones by extracorporeal shock waves is other of the nonsurgical threapeutic variants to be taken into account in this entity. 1 957 patients referred from all over the country with the diagnosis of biliary lithiasis were studied in a specialized office established to this end at Hermanos Ameijeiras Clinical and Surgical Hospital. 626 (32 percent) were selected, 479 (76.6 percent) females and 147 (23.4 percent) males, and the criteria of the Group of Munich were initially followed. 125 patients (20.0 percent) were over 60. 672 were not included due to large lithiasic component (50.4 percent); 276 due to gallblader excluded in oral cholecistography (20,8 percent); and 212 to insufficient gallblader dumping (16,0 percent). Arterial hypertension (67,0 percent), diabetes melitus (45,0 percent) and ischemic heart disease (28.0 percent) were the most frequent associated diseases among the selected individuals. The single calculi (71.7 percent) of up to 20 mm of diameter (65.7 percent), radiotransparent (83 percent) and with densities under 50 Houndsfield units (60.5 percent) predominated(AU)

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