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High coincidence of Mirizzi syndrome and gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare complication of long-standing cholelithiasis. It is defined as obstructive jaundice caused by external compression of the common hepatic duct by an impacted stone in the gallbladder neck. Gallstone disease and cholelithiasis-associated chronic biliary inflammation may play a causative role in the pathogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the coincidence of gallbladder carcinoma associated with Mirizzi syndrome. Furthermore, the diagnostic value of elevated CA 19-9 levels as indicator for a coincidental gallbladder carcinoma in this syndrome was studied. METHODS: Patient demographics, clinical findings, laboratory data, results of diagnostic studies, pathologic reports, and intraoperative findings of 1579 patients undergoing cholecystectomy were obtained from patient records and were retrospectively studied. Only patients with proven Mirizzi syndrome (i.e., extrinsic mechanical compression of the common hepatic duct by impacted gallstones, associated chronic cholecystitis, and a history of jaundice) were included in this study. RESULTS: Eighteen cases of Mirizzi syndrome (1.0%) out of 1759 cholecystectomies performed between January 1986 and March 1995 were identified. The seven male patients and 11 female patients had an average age of 74.8 years (range, 32 to 87 years). In five of these patients (27.8%) coincidental cases of gallbladder carcinoma were detected. The incidence of unsuspected malignancies in long-standing gallstone disease was 36 (2%) of 1759 and was statistically significantly different (p < 0.001) from the incidence in patients with Mirizzi syndrome (27.8%, 5 of 18). No significant difference was noted in age, gender, duration of jaundice, and type of lesions between these two groups. Tumor-associated antigen CA 19-9 level was elevated in 12 patients with Mirizzi syndrome, but it was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in all five patients with coincidental gallbladder neoplasm and peaked at 1000 units/ml. All patients diagnosed with gallbladder carcinoma died within 18 months after operation. CONCLUSIONS: There is high association of gallbladder cancer in Mirizzi syndrome. Elevated CA 19-9 levels in this syndrome are indicative of a coincidental gallbladder malignancy. Because of this high coincidence of Mirizzi syndrome and gallbladder cancer we recommend an intraoperative frozen section of the gallbladder in all patients presenting with Mirizzi syndrome.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Gallbladder motility and cholecystokinin secretion in chronic pancreatitis: relationship with exocrine pancreatic function.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postprandial gallbladder motility is regulated mainly by the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). Since CCK secretion may be reduced in patients with pancreatic insufficiency (PI), we studied postprandial gallbladder motility in these patients. METHODS: Fifteen patients with PI due to chronic pancreatitis and 17 healthy control subjects were studied. Gallbladder volumes (ultrasonography) and plasma CCK concentrations (RIA) were determined at regular intervals for 120 min after meal ingestion. Urinary PABA and faecal fat excretion were measured to determine pancreatic exocrine function. RESULTS: Patients with PI had larger fasting gallbladder volumes than controls (48 +/- 6 cm3 versus 29 +/- 2 cm3; p < 0.01). Gallbladder ejection volume at time 120 min was not significantly different between patients with PI (14 +/- 4 cm3) and controls (20 +/- 2 cm3). However, the percentage postprandial gallbladder emptying in patients with PI was significantly reduced compared to controls (at 120 min: 29 +/- 8% versus 68 +/- 3%; p < 0.001). Residual postprandial gallbladder volume was increased in patients with PI compared to controls (at 120 min: 34 +/- 4 cm3 versus 9 +/- 1 cm3; p < 0.001). Postprandial endogenous CCK secretion was significantly reduced in patients with PI compared to controls (78 +/- 13 pM.120 min versus 155 +/- 14 pM.120 min; p < 0.001). Postprandial gallbladder emptying (%) was related to the degree of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (r = 0.81; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with pancreatic insufficiency due to chronic pancreatitis: 1) fasting and residual postprandial gallbladder volumes are significantly increased; 2) postprandial CCK secretion and percentage gallbladder contraction are significantly reduced; 3) percentage postprandial gallbladder emptying is related to the degree of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency.

Adult↗

Endogenous endothelin increases gallbladder tone and leads to acute cholecystitis in the Australian possum.

Endothelins are bioactive peptides produced by gallbladder epithelial cells. We aimed to determine the role of endothelins in acute cholecystitis. Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide vs saline (sham) was instilled into the gallbladder lumen of Australian possums. Some animals received the non-selective endothelin antagonist, tezosentan. At 4 or 24 h, plasma and gallbladder endothelins and white blood cell count (WBCC) were determined. Acute cholecystitis was assessed using a histopathology score. In other animals gallbladder tone was determined. At 4h, a dose-dependent 60-fold increase in gallbladder endothelin level occurred (P = 0.001) but other parameters remained comparable with sham animals. Epithelial cells were endothelin-immunoreactive. At 24 h, the WBCC rose (P < 0.007), and severe cholecystitis developed. Gallbladder but not plasma endothelin levels remained elevated. Tezosentan pre-treatment resulted in a histologically normal gallbladder, but the WBCC and gallbladder endothelin levels were elevated. Lipopolysaccharide or saline instillation also caused a time-dependent increase in gallbladder tone over 4 h (P < 0.001), but not in control animals. This increase was reduced by tezosentan treatment. Gallbladder endothelin production is an early event in acute cholecystitis, increases gallbladder tone and plays a crucial role in the inflammatory process.

Animals↗

Effect of sphincteroplasty on gallbladder function and bile composition.

The effect of sphincteroplasty on bile concentration and composition and on gallbladder function was investigated in the dog. Gallbladder and hepatic bile samples were analyzed for cholesterol, phospholipid (lecithin), bile salt concentration and individual bile salt content. Motor function was studied by cholecystokinin-cholecystography with changes in gallbladder volume computed from the radiographs. All bile samples were cultured and at the conclusion of the experiments, the gallbladders were histologically examined. Sphincteroplasty did not alter biliary cholesterol concentration but the concentration of lecithin and bile salts decreased in gallbladder bile and increased in hepatic bile (p less than .001). These changes depict a trend toward greater lithogenicity for gallbladder bile and lesser lithogenicity for hepatic bile. Postoperative analysis of individual bile salts in gallbladder bile showed an increase in monohydroxy and dihydroxy bile salts and a decrease in trihydroxy bile salts (p less than .001). This tendency has been shown to be conducive to gallstone formation. The concentrating ability of the gallbladder was partially eliminated by sphincteroplasty but gallbladder filling and motor response to stimulation by cholecystokinin was not affected. All gallbladders demonstrated histologic changes of chronic inflammation and all developed a significant bacterial flora following sphincteroplasty. It is concluded that cholecystectomy should always be performed following transduodenal sphincteroplasty not because of any resultant abnormality of motor function, as has previously been held, but because of the resultant abnormality of gallbladder pathophysiology.

Ampulla of Vater↗

Cholescintigraphy in patients with acute cholecystitis before and after percutaneous gallbladder drainage.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate gallbladder function by use of cholescintigraphy in patients with acute cholecystitis before and after percutaneous gallbladder drainage. DESIGN: A cholescintigraphy was performed in 40 patients with acute cholecystitis before and after the performance of percutaneous gallbladder drainage. During the post-drainage cholescintigraphies, a cholecystokinin stimulation was performed to investigate gallbladder emptying in 12 selected patients. Gallbladder pressure and volume were measured before drainage in another group of 12 patients with acute cholecystitis. RESULTS: As expected, no gallbladder activity was observed in the cholescintigraphies before drainage, except in a patient with an occluding stone in the common bile duct. Cystic duct patency and gallbladder activity were seen in 80% of patients in cholescintigraphies performed after drainage but before any other treatment. Post-drainage cholescintigraphy revealed a mean gallbladder ejection fraction of 24%, which is significantly lower than the corresponding value in normal individuals and gallstone patients without cholecystitis (n = 12). Gallbladder pressure and volume were markedly increased compared with normal values. CONCLUSION: The relief of increased gallbladder pressure and volume appears to be important for the re-establishment of gallbladder function.

Acute Disease↗

In primary sclerosing cholangitis, gallbladder polyps are frequently malignant.

OBJECTIVE: The management of gallbladder polyps/masses in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) (i.e., cholecystectomy vs observation) remains problematic. Given the risk of biliary tract cancer in PSC in the face of the benign nature of most gallbladder polyps in the general population, our aim was to determine the prevalence of gallbladder cancer in PSC patients with a gallbladder mass who had undergone cholecystectomy. METHODS: The case records of all patients with PSC undergoing a cholecystectomy at the Mayo Clinic between 1977-1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 102 patients with PSC who underwent a cholecystectomy, 14 of 102 (13.7%) had a gallbladder mass. In the subset of patients with gallbladder masses, eight of 14 (57%) had adenocarcinomas (seven primary adenocarcinomas and one metastatic cholangiocarcinoma); the other six had benign masses (five adenomas and one cholesterol polyp). In those patients with benign masses, 33% had associated epithelial cell dysplasia; in patients with primary gallbladder cancers, 57% had associated dysplasia. The patients with primary gallbladder adenocarcinoma had a favorable outcome after cholecystectomy, with a 36-month survival of 66%. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, gallbladder neoplasms in PSC patients are malignant in approximately 40-60% of the cases. The presence of gallbladder epithelial cell dysplasia suggests a dysplasia-carcinoma sequence in PSC similar to that observed in ulcerative colitis. Consideration should be given to performing a cholecystectomy in PSC patients with gallbladder polyps. If a cholecystectomy is not performed, careful interval follow-up is warranted.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Simultaneous measurement of gallbladder emptying with cholescintigraphy and US during infusion of physiologic doses of cholecystokinin: a comparison.

Both ultrasonography (US) and cholescintigraphy are used to study gallbladder dynamics. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the two methods provide the same or different information relating to gallbladder emptying. Emptying was simultaneously studied with both methods during infusion of graded physiologic doses of cholecystokinin (CCK) in six healthy subjects. Infusion of stepwise increasing doses of CCK, ranging from 0.03 to 0.5 Ivy dog units per kilogram of body weight per hour (IDU/kg.h), induced significant dose-related increases in plasma CCK, decreases in gallbladder volume assessed with US, and gallbladder emptying assessed with cholescintigraphy. The threshold dose for inducing significant gallbladder emptying was 0.13 IDU/kg.h, as determined with both techniques, indicating similar detection limits. There was a highly significant correlation between decreases in gallbladder volume and decreases in radioactive counts over the gallbladder region, with a tendency toward greater gallbladder responses at sonography during the early phase of gallbladder contraction and toward greater responses at cholescintigraphy during the later phase of gallbladder contraction. It is concluded that these methods can be used interchangeably for the quantitation of gallbladder emptying.

Adult↗

Nonvisualization of the fetal gallbladder: frequency and prognostic importance.

PURPOSE: To assess the frequency of fetal gallbladder visualization through gestation and to determine the prognostic importance of nonvisualization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Demonstration of the gallbladder was prospectively attempted in 578 consecutive second- and third-trimester obstetric ultrasound examinations. Data regarding gallbladder visualization were stratified into subgroups on the basis of estimated gestational age. Postnatal follow-up was performed in 80 fetuses with nonvisualization of the gallbladder. RESULTS: The gallbladder was seen on 477 of 578 (82.5%) fetal sonograms. The likelihood of gallbladder visualization increased with advancing gestational age, reaching a plateau of approximately 95% between 24 and 32 weeks. After 32 weeks, the frequency of visualization declined. Seventy-five of the 80 fetuses with nonvisualized gallbladders who underwent follow-up had normal outcomes. Except for one fetus with trisomy 21, all fetuses with abnormalities had relatively minor, non-life threatening problems that did not involve the gallbladder or biliary tract. CONCLUSION: Most fetuses with nonvisualization of the gallbladder have normal outcomes. The rate of nonvisualization of the fetal gallbladder is sufficiently high to undermine the utility of gallbladder visualization as a screen for fetal abnormality.

Female↗

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis: CT features with emphasis on differentiation from gallbladder carcinoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the computed tomographic (CT) features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and to distinguish it from gallbladder carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed in 11 patients with XGC and 17 patients with gallbladder carcinoma in which the wall was thickened. The following CT features were analyzed: maximum wall thickness, intramural hypoattenuated nodules, mucosal line, patterns of wall thickening and enhancement, and the presence of stones. The changes outside the gallbladder were also compared. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the gallbladder wall was 1.8 cm in patients with XGC and 2.1 cm in patients with gallbladder carcinoma. Intramural hypoattenuated nodules were seen in all patients with XGC but in only seven patients with gallbladder carcinoma (P = .008). The mucosal line was observed in nine patients with XGC and in six with gallbladder carcinoma (P = .02). The gallbladder wall was more diffusely thickened in patients with XGC (10 of 11 patients) than in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (seven of 17 patients) (P = .01). The occurrence of changes outside the gallbladder did not differ statistically significantly. CONCLUSION: Because of a statistically significant overlap of CT features, only when intramural hypoattenuated nodules occupy a large area of the thickened gallbladder wall can the diagnosis of XGC be highly suggestive. The diagnosis of XGC at CT may indicate a less aggressive surgical approach.

Adult↗

Changes in gallbladder motility and gallstone formation following laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obestity.

UNLABELLED: Morbid obesity is associated with cholesterol gallstone formation, a risk compounded by rapid weight loss. Laparoscopic gastric banding allows for a measured rate of weight loss, but the subsequent risk for developing gallstones is unknown. METHOD: Twenty-six normal-weight volunteers (body mass index [BMI] less than 30) were compared with 14 morbidly obese patients (BMI greater than 40). Gallbladder volumes were measured ultrasonographically, after fasting and following stimulation with intravenous cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8) RESULTS: Preoperatively, fasting gallbladder volume and residual volume after CCK stimulation were both two times greater in the obese group (P<0.02 versus controls). Per cent gallbladder emptying was not different. Gallbladder refilling was four times higher in the obese patients (P<0.01). By six weeks postoperatively, the obese patients lost 1.4+/-0.1% body weight per week. Gallbladder emptying decreased 18.4% (80.3+/-3.9% to 65.5+/-6.9%; P<0.05); residual volume rose one-third (not significant), and refilling fell 60.5% (0.43+/-0.09 to 0.26+/-0.04 mL/min; P=0.07). Three patients with weight losses of greater than 1.7% per week developed gallstones; gallbladder emptying fell outside the 95 percentile. By six months, weight loss slowed to 0.5+/-0.1% per week; gallbladder motility improved modestly. No further stones developed. CONCLUSION: Rapid weight loss following laparoscopic gastric banding impairs gallbladder emptying and when pronounced, gallstones form by six weeks postoperatively. The accompanying reduction in gallbladder emptying, increased gallbladder residual volume and decreased refilling promote gallbladder stasis and hence stone formation.

Adult↗

Gallbladder volume in adults and its relationship to age, sex, body mass index, body surface area and gallstones. An epidemiologic study in a nonselected population in France.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The role of a large gallbladder volume with regard to a predisposition for gallstones is unknown. It is possible that an increase in gallbladder volume could result in impaired gallbladder motility and bile stasis. We looked for factors affecting gallbladder volume in a random population in the southeast of France. METHODS: To assess the relationship between gallbladder volume and gallstones, 528 subjects over the age of 30 were studied (72 with lithiasis). Age, sex, body mass index, body surface area and gallbladder volume were collected for each subject. A linear regression analysis was performed to look for significant variables. RESULTS: The overall adjusted prevalence of cholelithiasis was 13.9% in our population. On linear regression analysis, two variables (age and surface area) were found to be independently correlated with gallbladder volume. Gallbladder volume was significantly increased in subjects over 50 years (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between gallbladder volume and body surface area (r = 0. 33, p < 0.001). In this study, the presence or absence of gallstones did not significantly affect the gallbladder volume. CONCLUSIONS: We report that there is dilatation of the gallbladder with age and with an increase in body surface area. Whether this could represent risk factors for the occurrence of gallstone remains uncertain.

Adult↗

Observation on the distribution of ganglia in the ganglionated plexus of guinea-pig gallbladder.

In order to investigate how the ganglia in ganglionated plexus were distributed throughout the overall region of the gallbladder, the gallbladder was dissected from guinea-pig and washed with Krebs solution via the cystic duct. This gallbladder was distended with 2 ml of the mixed solution of OsO4 and ZnI2 injected with a syringe via the cystic duct and the cystic duct was immediately tied with a thread. The gallbladder was placed in excess of the mixed solution for 7-10 hours. The gallbladder was longitudinally divided into two approximately equal parts and each was prepared for microscopic investigation. The one preparation was the ventral side of the gallbladder and the other preparation was its dorsal side. These preparations were viewed through a photomicroscope. The obtained results were as follows: 1. Ganglia which involved several nerve cells were observed. Ganglia and nerve bundles connecting the fellow ganglia formed an irregular network, that is, the so-called ganglionated plexus. These nerve bundles were connected with the perivascular nerves which ran parallel to and around blood vessels in several places of the wall of the gallbladder. 2. Ganglia were full of variety in size and shape. That is to say, the shape of ganglia is arranged in various patterns such as oval, spherical, triangular, square and so on. When the size of ganglia were shown by surface area of ganglia which were viewed within the sweep of photomicroscope, the size of ganglia were divided into three large groups, the small ganglia in the range of 1,400 microns2-3,500 microns 2, the large ganglia in the range of 3,500 microns2-10,000 microns2 and the extra-large ganglia in the range of 10,000 microns2-38,000 microns2. Per one gallbladder, 240 +/- 41 (n = 3) small ganglia, 263 +/- 28 (n = 3) large ganglia and 8 +/- 1 (n = 3) extra-large ganglia were found. And these ganglia were irregularly scattered all over the wall of gallbladder. Small ganglia were found more numerous than large ganglia in the cervical portion of the gallbladder. On the other hand, small ones were slightly fewer than large ganglia in the remainder portion of the gallbladder. 3. The ganglionated plexus contained 511 +/- 69 (n = 3) ganglia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

The significance of functioning gallbladder visualization on hepatobiliary scintigraphy in infants with persistent jaundice.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to determine whether gallbladder visualization can help exclude biliary atresia in hepatobiliary scintigraphic studies of infants with persistent jaundice. METHODS: One hundred fifty-two infants with persistent jaundice (49 patients with a final diagnosis of biliary atresia and 103 with biliary patency) were studied using both hepatobiliary scintigraphy and abdominal sonography. Food was withheld for 4 h before the examination, and the infants were fed nothing but glucose until 6 h after the initial injection of (99m)Tc-disofenin or until the gallbladder was seen. If the gallbladder was seen, the infants were fed milk, and imaging was continued to observe gallbladder contractility. RESULTS: In none of the 49 patients with biliary atresia could the gallbladder be seen with hepatobiliary scintigraphy, but abdominal sonography revealed 9 normal-sized gallbladders. Of the 103 patients with biliary patency, hepatobiliary scintigraphy detected the gallbladder more frequently (74%, 76/103) than did abdominal sonography (63%, 65/103). All visualized gallbladders contracted after the infants were fed milk. If we include visualization of both the gallbladder and bowel radioactivity as criteria, the specificity of biliary atresia on hepatobiliary scintigraphy increases to 86% (89/103). CONCLUSION: Gallbladders were usually visible on hepatobiliary scintigraphy of fasting patients with biliary patency. A functioning gallbladder, with or without visualization of bowel radioactivity, indicated biliary patency.

Biliary Atresia↗

The effect of cisapride on gallbladder contractility in type II diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate whether diabetics have altered gallbladder motility, and whether cisapride has any effect on gallbladder motility in these patients. The factors associated with abnormal gallbladder contractility, and with the effects of cisapride on gallbladder contractility in diabetics were also evaluated. METHODOLOGY: The gallbladder contractility parameters of 20 diabetics and 20 controls were assessed by real time ultrasonography. The same measurements were made after cisapride treatment in diabetics. RESULTS: Fasting gallbladder volume and residual gallbladder volume were statistically higher in the diabetic group than in the controls (P = 0.018 and P = 0.022, respectively). Multivariate analysis also showed a significant association between fasting gallbladder volume and existing diabetes (P = 0.0002). There was a significant positive correlation between level of hemoglobin A1c and fasting gallbladder volume (r = 0.48, P = 0.031). Responders to cisapride treatment had significantly higher hemoglobin A1c levels than nonresponders (6.6 +/- 1.3 vs. 9.1 +/- 1.8, respectively; P = 0.004). Logistic multiple regression analysis revealed that hemoglobin A1c level was the only independent factor that was predictive for efficacy of cisapride treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that diabetics have impaired gallbladder contractility, and that control of diabetes is predictive for gallbladder contractility and response to cisapride therapy in these patients.

Adult↗

Endogenous oxytocin excites phasic contraction of gallbladder in rabbits through oxytocin receptor.

These experiments were performed to study the effect of oxytocin (OT) and it's specific receptor on gallbladder motility in rabbits. The fasted New Zealand white rabbits (2.0-2.5 kg) were anaesthetized by urethane (1 g/kg). The gallbladder pressure was recorded continuously to monitor the gallbladder motility. Systemic OT (0.01, 0.02, 0.04 mg/kg, iv) did not affect the gallbladder pressure, but dose-dependently increased the frequency of phasic contraction. Five min after OT administration (0.04 mg/kg, iv), the strength of phasic contraction increased to 0.23 +/- 0.08 mmHg/min (P < 0.01, n = 6). The gallbladder motility returned to normal 15 min later after OT treatment. Intravenous injection of atosiban (0.04 mg/kg, iv), an OT receptor antagonist, decreased the strength of gallbladder phasic contraction but did not affect gallbladder pressure. Pretreatment of atosiban (0.04 mg/kg, iv) completely abolished the systemic OT effect on gallbladder. Vasopressin (VP) (0.1 - 0.5 IU/kg, iv) dose-dependently decrease the gallbladder pressure but did not affect the phasic contraction. MK-329 (0.4 mg/kg, iv), the CCK-A receptor antagonist, L-365, 260 (0.4 mg/kg, iv), the CCK-B receptor antagonist and atropine (0.2 mg/kg, iv), the M receptor antagonist, did not affect the OT effect on gallbladder motility. We suggest that endogenous OT regulates gallbladder phasic contraction through specific OT receptor. This effect is independent of the peripheral CCK and M receptors.

Animals↗

Gallbladder edema in Dengue hemorrhagic fever and its association with haematocrit levels and type of infections.

AIM: To determine gallbladder edema with type of Dengue infection and hematocrit level. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 225 cases of DHF admitted from January to December 1997 to determine the association between the type of Dengue infection, hemoconcentration and the presence or absence of gallbladder edema. Primary or secondary types of Dengue infection consider to determine the severity and degree of plasma leakage in dengue hemorrhagic fever. The Chi square and Spearman 's tests were performed to establish association between variables. RESULTS: out of 225 cases of DHE 129 cases were found with the following dengue serology test results: 92 IgM positive and 37 negative. Abdominal ultrasound was performed in 57 cases, revealing gallbladder edema in 17 cases and none in 40 cases. The 57 cases were classified as primary dengue cases (positive IgMA), secondary dengue(positive IgM and IgG), or seronegative (negative IgM). Primary dengue was found in 5 cases with gallbladder edema and 15 cases without (25%). In the secondary dengue group,10 cases were found with gallbladder edema and 8 cases without (55.5%), while in the non-Dengue group, there were 2 cases with gallbladder edema and 17 cases without (10.5%). There was association between the development of gallbladder edema and the type of dengue infection(p=0.010). Gallbladder edema was more common in secondary Dengue (55%). There was a tendency for gallbladder edema in patients with higher increases in hematocrit. CONCLUSION: It conclude that gallbladder edema is more common in cases of secondary dengue and that there is a tendency for gallbladder edema with higher increase of hematocrit.

Edema↗

[Methods estimating gallbladder volume].

An increasing incidence of liver and biliary tract diseases brings about an increasing necessity of their precise diagnosis. The procedure of estimation of gallbladder volume seems to be useful in ultrasonic examination of gallbladder motility and is widely applied in human medicine all over the world. The methods estimating gallbladder volume can be divided into two groups. The first group comprises the application of rather simple formulas approximating the actual gallbladder shape to the given geometric solid. These methods are precise when the actual gallbladder shape is at least roughly similar to the approximated solid. The second group is more uniform methods since their precision is principally not dependent on the gallbladder shape. The aim of this article was the description and comparison of more or less known methods ascribed to the both groups. Among the methods of the first group, one of the firstly applied and less precise methods usually lowering the results is the method approximating the gallbladder shape to a cone. More common and precise is the ellipsoid method, but this method sometimes also approximates the gallbladder shape not very accurately. The other methods approximating the gallbladder shape to a barrel, cylinder, sphere, trapezoid or frustum of cone and the modifications of some of these methods like the method of cone and ellipsoid, are comparable with the ellipsoid method. The planimetric group of the methods can be included into the second group and in these methods the calculation of the area of the organ longitudinal image is followed by estimation of the organ's volume. Other validated methods are: the random points method based on the known group of mathematical methods (Monte Carlo) representing practically one ofplanimetric methods, the commonly used sum-of-cylinder method and the Simpson method. The reported data indicate that Simpson method is currently the most accurate method estimating the gallbladder volume while the planimetric and sum-of-cylinder methods are believed to be also accurate. The applied method estimating gallbladder volume should be selected in the manner that guarantees its possibly maximal accuracy.

Gallbladder↗

[Effect of calcitonin on gallbladder volume between food intake and on its emptying after meals in humans].

The effect of increasing i.v. doses of synthetic salmon calcitonin: 0.0044, 0.0088, 0.0175, and 0.0350 i.u..kg-1 min-1 versus placebo on the fasted gallbladder volume was assessed in 7 normal subjects according to a double-blind study protocol. In addition the action of calcitonin on meal-induced gallbladder emptying was examined. Gallbladder volumes were measured by means of real-time ultrasonography. An excellent day-to-day reproducibility of the fasted gallbladder volume was reflected by a coefficient of variation amounting to 12.2%, whereas the correlation coefficient between the fasted gallbladder volumes on day 1 and 2 amounted to r = 0.98, p less than 0.001. Calcitonin evoked a dose-dependent relaxation of the fasted gallbladder. A statistically significant increase of the fasted gallbladder volume was observed with 0.0175 (23.4 +/- 5.50 cm3 placebo vs 33.9 +/- 7.74 cm3 calcitonin, p less than 0.001) and 0.0350 (21.4 +/- 4.62 cm3 placebo vs 36.1 +/- 8.42 cm3 calcitonin, p less than 0.01) i.u..kg-1 min-1 calcitonin, where as mean increase of the gallbladder volume amounted to 32.1 and 46.5%, respectively. A significant delay of the gallbladder emptying after calcitonin was reflected by a decrease of the ejection fraction: 23.2 +/- 8.33% calcitonin vs 57.8 +/- 6.94% placebo (p less than 0.02) at 20 min, and 40.5 +/- 8.76% calcitonin vs 67.2 +/- 3.75% placebo (p less than 0.02) at 30 min after the test meal. Calcitonin is concluded to increase significantly the interdigestive gallbladder volume and to delay the meal-induced gallbladder emptying in humans.

Adult↗