PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Gallbladder”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,081 records · Page 60Linked to original sources

Gallbladder emptying in patients with primary achalasia.

Being more evident that primary achalasia is not confined to the esophagus and that it may involve other organs in the digestive tract, gallbladder emptying was ultrasonographically evaluated in 10 patients affected with primary achalasia and in 10 controls. An intravenous cerulein infusion was used to induce gallbladder contraction. Eight out of 10 achalasic patients had a lower gallbladder emptying, and 6 out of 10 had a markedly delayed gallbladder emptying compared with the controls. Achalasic patients, taken as a whole, showed a significantly lower and delayed mean gallbladder emptying when compared with the controls. Such a finding confirms the possible extra-esophageal extension of primary achalasia. In this study, the hypothesis of impaired cholinergic gallbladder innervation in primary achalasia is discussed.

Ceruletide↗

Study of the effect of neurotensin on meal- and cerulein-induced gallbladder contraction.

We studied the effect of a low dose of neurotensin (2.5 pmol/kg/min) on meal- and cerulein-induced gallbladder contraction in 11 healthy volunteers by means of real-time ultrasonography. Ingestion of a meal caused a significant reduction in gallbladder volume which reached a maximum of 57 +/- 2% of the basal value at 60 min after the meal. The infusion of neurotensin caused a slight but not significant attenuation of the contractile response of the gallbladder to the meal (maximal reduction of 49 +/- 6%). Increasing doses of cerulein (10, 20 and 40 ng/kg/h, for 30 min at each dose) caused progressive reductions in gallbladder volume of 18 +/- 5, 72 +/- 5 and 89 +/- 4% with the three respective doses of cerulein used. The simultaneous administration of neurotensin did not significantly modify the gallbladder response to cerulein. The results indicate that neurotensin, at a dose of 2.5 pmol/kg/min, does not influence the gallbladder contraction stimulated by food or cerulein.

Adult↗

Gallbladder motility in laparoscopic cholecystectomy specimens.

In vitro contractility of human and sheep gallbladders to cholinergic stimulation with carbachol and the effects of indomethacin on abnormal rhythmic activity were studied. Once hundred and thirty-two gallbladders were obtained at laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 38 from patients with acute and 94 with chronic cholecystitis. In addition, 27 specimens of sheep gallbladders served as controls. Fundal preparations from patients with cholecystitis exhibit hypocontractility: no response in 72% or in the remainder a significantly reduced maximal contraction to carbachol. Regionally graded motor responses favoring propulsion of bile were abnormal in 44% of the gallbladders studied with more forceful contractions of the duct compared to the fundus. Abnormal early rhythmic activity (ERA) of fundal preparations was only detected in gallbladders of patients (in 33%) but never in controls. In 80% of these, ERA was blocked or reduced by indomethacin which can be interpreted as evidence for a prostaglandin-mediated inflammatory response. We conclude that gallbladder motility in cholelithiasis secondary to muscarinic stimulation is reduced and regionally graded motor responses favoring bile expulsion are impaired. ERA can be blocked by indomethacin.

Acute Disease↗

Stimulation of gallbladder emptying by intravenous lipids.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have dealt with the effect of i.v. administration of lipids on gallbladder emptying, and the results have been conflicting. METHODS: Five healthy volunteers, three women and two men, aged 26 to 54 years, (mean, 29 years) were studied. Gallbladder emptying was assessed by means of real-time ultrasonography. RESULTS: In all subjects, the infusion of a 10% fat emulsion (Intralipid; Kabivitrum, Stockholm) over 3 hours caused a reduction in gallbladder volume. This effect was statistically significant at about 80 minutes of lipid infusion and became progressively more marked as the infusion progressed, reaching a reduction of approximately 30% during the third hour of infusion. A significant relationship (p < .001) was found between the concentration of serum triglycerides and the degree of gallbladder volume decrease. In control studies, infusion of physiologic saline containing glycerol, the excipient of intralipid, caused no significant changes in gallbladder volume. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that i.v. infusion of lipids is able to stimulate significantly contraction of human gallbladder.

Adult↗

Gallbladder and bile duct abnormalities in AIDS: sonographic findings in eight patients.

Gallbladder and biliary tract abnormalities were observed on sonography in eight patients with AIDS. The studies were obtained to evaluate right upper quadrant pain (two patients), tenderness (three patients), and abnormal liver function tests (eight patients). The two major sonographic findings were gallbladder wall thickening (eight patients), which often was marked, and bile duct dilatation (two patients). Gallbladder wall thickness varied from 4 to 15 mm and was greater than 1 cm in four patients. Follow-up sonograms in five patients showed increasing wall thickness in four and decreasing thickness in one, but these findings did not correlate well with the clinical status of the patient. Pericholecystic fluid was shown in three cases. None of the patients had gallstones. Common bile duct dilatation varied from 12 to 15 mm; no specific cause for dilatation was found by cholangiography. Mycobacterium avium intracellulare was recovered from the gallbladder in one patient, and Cryptosporidium was recovered from the duodenum in two patients. AIDS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder wall thickening or bile duct dilatation in the appropriate clinical setting. These findings may indicate opportunistic infection of the biliary tract. A disparity may exist between the mild symptoms and signs (or lack of symptoms and signs) related to the gallbladder and bile ducts and the sometimes marked sonographic abnormalities.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Cyclooxygenase expression in the gallbladder.

The COX expressions were evaluated separately in the epithelium and in the stroma of gallbladder cancer, chronic cholecystitis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) and the normal gallbladder. In normal gallbladder COX-2 expression rate was significantly higher in the epithelium than in the stroma. The COX-2 expression rate in the epithelium of non-cancerous adjacent epithelium to cancerous lesion was significantly lower than those not only of cancer, but also chronic cholecystitis, XGC and normal gallbladder. In stroma, the COX-2 expression rate in cancer, chronic cholecystitis and XGC were significantly higher than that of the normal gallbladder. The rate in non-cancerous adjacent stroma to cancer is significantly lower than that of cancer and XGC. However, the difference of rate between of normal and of chronic cholecystitis was not significant. The COX-2 expression rates were significantly higher in both the epithelium and the stroma in the well and moderately differentiated cancer group than in the poorly and undifferentiated cancer group. Our results suggest that COX-2 expression in the gallbladder may be regulated by various factors and not directly related to carcinogenesis. The significance of its repression in the non-cancerous adjacent tissue to cancer lesion should be re-evaluated.

Cholecystitis↗

Gallbladder wall thickening secondary to focal lymphatic obstruction.

Gallbladder wall thickening (3 mm or greater) has been described as a sign of acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the gallbladder. However, gallbladder wall thickening is a nonspecific finding in contracted, postprandial gallbladders and in cases of hypoproteinemia, elevated portal venous pressure, congestive heart failure, multiple myeloma, and hepatitis. This report describes the case of a patient who had a markedly thickened gallbladder wall secondary to focal obstruction of gallbladder lymphatic drainage by malignant lymphoma in the portal lymph nodes.

Female↗

Comparison of three- and two-dimensional sonography in diagnosis of gallbladder diseases: preliminary experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare three-dimensional sonography with two-dimensional sonography for diagnosis of gallbladder diseases. METHODS: Sixty-three patients with gallbladder diseases were examined with two- and three-dimensional sonography. The morphologic features presented on both modalities were analyzed, and the diagnostic accuracies of both modalities were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: Both two- and three-dimensional sonography facilitated correct diagnosis in all patients with gallstones. Three-dimensional sonography had no influence on the diagnosis of gallstones compared with two-dimensional sonography. Three-dimensional sonography showed the granular surfaces in 18 (81.8%) of 22 cases of polypoid lesions and the pedunculated fundus in 19 (86.4%) of 22, whereas two-dimensional sonography displayed them in 10 (45.5%) and 3 (13.6%) of 22, respectively (P < .05 and .001). Three- and two-dimensional sonography made correct differential diagnoses between non-neoplastic and neoplastic polyps in 20 (90.9%) and 12 (54.5%) of 22, respectively (P < .05). In gallbladder carcinoma, both three- and two-dimensional sonography accurately showed all the associated gallstones and intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Two-dimensional sonography could not correctly define the locations of the lesions in 2 (28.6%) and tumor extension in 1 (14.3%) of 7 cases with pathologically proved gallbladder cancer, whereas three-dimensional sonography improved the diagnosis in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional sonography adds no advantages for diagnosis of gallstones compared with two-dimensional sonography, but it is better than two-dimensional sonography for differential diagnosis of gallbladder polyps and may improve the localization and staging for gallbladder carcinoma; however, additional studies are needed for further determination.

Cholelithiasis↗

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) of the gallbladder: a clinicopathological correlation.

OBJECTIVE: Lymph follicles are frequently found on histological examination of a surgically removed gallbladder. The significance of these lymph follicles is not clearly understood. The aim of this study was to examine the clinicopathological correlation between the lymph follicles in the gallbladder morphologically and the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the gut. METHODS: The gallbladders were fixed and cut serially. The tissue slices were processed in the routine manner for a histological examination. The histological criteria for MALT in this study was defined as the presence of lymph follicles with germinal centers in the lamina propria mucosae in approximately equal numbers in all portions of the gallbladders from the neck to the fundus. Biliary bile obtained at surgery was cultured for a bacteriological examination in the hospital laboratory. The types of gallstones were classified according to the Classification of Gallstones by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. RESULTS: Of the 1341 patients, 158 (11.8%) patients fulfilled the histological criteria, including 64 men and 94 women with an average age of 64.2 years. Gallstones were present in 89.2% of the patients, and 74.5% of these were calcium bilirubinate gallstones. Cultures of the bile were positive in 95.4% of the patients. A variety of bacterial species were thus found, most commonly Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Grossly, the gallbladders usually showed a granular appearance of the mucosa. CONCLUSION: The MALT in the gallbladder is not a rare condition and is frequently encountered in clinical practice. This lymphoid tissue may represent a mucosal and morphological immune phenomenon for infection rather than a substrate for the development of low-grade B-cell lymphoma.

Adult↗

Pyloric gland metaplasia with perineural invasion of the gallbladder: A lesion that can be confused with adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Metaplastic pyloric glands have been described in a variety of organs including the gallbladder, in which they can extend into the muscular wall and serosa. METHODS: Clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of four cases of gallbladder florid pyloric gland metaplasia with perineural and intraneural invasion are analyzed. RESULTS: The patients with pyloric gland metaplasia and perineural and intraneural invasion were all females ages 57-72 years. A preoperative diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis was made for all four patients, but a histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma was made for two patients and entertained in two others. Macroscopically the gallbladders showed changes usually associated with chronic cholecystitis. No intraluminal masses were observed in any of the gallbladders. The characteristic microscopic features included florid pyloric gland metaplasia, proliferation of medium-sized nerve trunks more prominent in the muscular layer and serosa, and perineural and intraneural invasion by the metaplastic glands lined by cytologically bland cuboidal or columnar mucin-containing cells. At last follow-up all patients were alive and symptom free 1-7 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Pyloric gland metaplasia of the gallbladder should be added to the long and increasing list of benign epithelial proliferations that are associated with perineural and intraneural invasion. This lesion should not be mistaken for adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder, a misinterpretation that may have serious therapeutic implications. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is unknown.

Adenocarcinoma↗

The effect of dividing the sphincter of Oddi at endoscopic sphincterotomy on the filling and emptying aspects of function of the gallbladder.

The effect of dividing the sphincter of Oddi at endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) on the filling and emptying aspects of gallbladder function has not been definitely established in humans. This prospective study is designed to examine the effects of EST on gallbladder emptying. In 13 patients (8 men and 5 women; mean age, 60.54 years +/- 2.14; range, 45-75 years), postprandial gallbladder emptying was measured ultrasonographically before and after EST (within 1-4 days). The fasting volumes after 8 hours of fasting, at times 0 min and before the test meal was given, residual volume (the smallest postprandial volume), gallbladder ejection fraction (EF), and total ejection volume, at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90 min after the test meal, were studied. The fasting gallbladder volume and the residual volume tended to decrease after EST, but the differences were not significant (40.21 +/- 10.79 mL and 35.48 +/- 11.21 mL, 17.79 +/- 4.83 mL, and 13.10 +/- 4.83 mL, respectively; p > 0.05). Maximum EF was found to be 19.72% at 40 min and increased to 28.62% at 70 min after EST. Although the difference was not statistically relevant, a trend of improvement was evident after EST. The ejected volumes after EST have depicted a trend toward increase, without reaching to any statistical significance (p > 0.05). Our results demonstrate at least no adverse effects of EST and further support some positive effects on gallbladder kinetics.

Female↗

Increased expression of N-myristoyltransferase in gallbladder carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: Activated Src, which has intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase activity, has been found in human solid tumors such as colorectal and breast carcinomas. The Src gene encodes a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase p60src, which attaches to the inner surface of the membrane after N-terminal myristoylation and is implicated in transduction of signals to the nucleus. N-myristoyltransferase (NMT) catalyzes the biochemical modification process called N-myristoylation. To investigate whether, through Src, NMT contributes to the pathogenesis of gallbladder carcinoma, the authors investigated expression of NMT and p53 in in situ and invasive carcinomas. METHODS: One hundred cases of documented gallbladder carcinoma were reviewed, and 30 cases were selected randomly to evaluate expression of NMT and p53 by immunohistochemistry in both in situ and in invasive tumor components. RESULTS: Eighteen cases (60%) of gallbladder carcinoma showed moderate to strong cytoplasmic positivity for NMT with increased intensity in the invasive component, and 12 cases (40%) were negative. The in situ component revealed mild to moderate cytoplasmic staining in 20 cases (67%), whereas the normal gallbladder mucosa showed weak to negative cytoplasmic staining. Moderate to strong p53 staining was observed in 17 in situ cases (63%) and 24 invasive cases (80%). The in situ staining patterns of p53 were unrelated to the clinical outcome of the tumor. However, moderate to strong staining of the invasive component as observed in 15 cases (50%) was associated with a mean survival of 8.8 months. Amplification of intron-8 in normal gallbladder mucosa and invasive carcinoma were similar in intensity, suggesting the absence of NMT gene amplification in these tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The increased expression of NMT in these tumors could be due to transcriptional activation. Tumors with increased expression of NMT and p53 were associated with poor clinical outcomes as evidenced by their mean survival times. NMT is likely to play a pathogenic role in gallbladder carcinoma.

Acyltransferases↗

Incidental gallbladder cancer at laparoscopy: a review of two cases.

Early peritoneal seeding and trocar site metastasis from gallbladder cancer have been reported after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Nevertheless, the role of laparoscopy in gallbladder cancer remains controversial. Two cases of early recurrence of carcinoma of the gallbladder after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are described. In the first case, the use of a gasless technique did not prevent an early, diffuse peritoneal dissemination of the disease. In the second case, despite the use of a retrieval bag to extract the gallbladder, multiple metastases around the gallbladder bed and local peritoneal seeding developed. These cases demonstrate that factors other than bile spillage, CO2 inflation, and the use of a retrieval bag are responsible for early dissemination of gallbladder cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Histological examination of the gallbladder after cholecystectomy].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Normally, the gallbladder is sent routinely for histological examination after cholecystectomy. From a cost-benefit point of view this may not be optimal. METHODS: Computerised records were used to identify patients with gallbladder carcinoma over a 20-year period, from 1979 to 1999, and these patient records were evaluated manually. RESULTS: The estimated cost for one histological examination was $37. During the period, 4,614 cholecystectomies were performed and 33 patients had gallbladder carcinoma. In 29 of the 33 patients, there was evident preoperative and/or peroperative suspicion of cancer, but no such suspicion in four patients. These four patients had other peroperative macroscopic abnormal findings, besides gallbladder stones. CONCLUSION: This retrospective series indicates that in the case of normal preoperative and/or peroperative macroscopic conditions (except for gallbladder stones) there is no need for histological examination of the gallbladder.

Aged↗

Gallbladder pathologies and cholelithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: Cholecystectomy, mostly due to cholelithiasis is one of the most common surgical procedures utilizing a significant amount of healthcare resources. As there are a huge number of cases, for example approximately 300 cases per year in our region, outlines this commonly encountered lesion should be recorded. Also, in an attempt to delineate the outline of the pattern, age and sex distribution of gallbladder diseases in the whole Kingdom, a comparative analysis is also included in this study with 7 other studies published from different parts of the Kingdom. METHODS: Our study consisted of 740 consecutive gallbladder cholecyctectomies mostly for cholelithiasis received in a time frame of 3.5 years (for example between January 1997 through to May 2000) by the Department of Histopathology retrieved from the records of the laboratory. The outline of main gallbladder pathologies was tabulated. The number of gallbladders received with stones was also calculated. Age and sex distribution for gallbladder pathology and gallstones was also tabulated. RESULTS: There were 131 males (18%) and 609 (82%) females, with a female ratio male 4.6:1. Benign lesions comprised 99% (mean age 36), mostly chronic cholecyctitis (97%) and acute cholecystitis which constituted 15 cases only (2%), malignant lesions comprised only 7 cases for example 1% of all lesions (mean age 65). CONCLUSION: Gallbladder pathologies are very common and similar results have been obtained from other studies by comparative analysis. The mean cholecystectomy rates in the Kingdom totalled approximately 10%, mean age for all cholecystectomy diseases in both sexes equalled 37.05. The mean age for males was 42.26, females 37.25 and their ratio was 44.5:1.

Adult↗

The value of p53 protein expression in gallbladder carcinoma: analysis of 60 cases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Few studies, with small samples and diverging results, have been performed to evaluate the p53 protein expression in gallbladder carcinoma and its relationship to different clinicopathological parameters. Based on these facts, we performed a study for the purpose of assessing p53 expression in this disease and its association to prognostic factors. METHODOLOGY: Samples of 141 gallbladders, with 60 cases of carcinoma, 62 cholelithiasis and 19 without gallstones were assessed using an immunohistochemical technique for the expression of p53 protein, and analyzed for prognosis, survival and other clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: p53 expression was positive in 58.3% of carcinomas of the gallbladder, 9.7% of the chronic cholecystitis and 10.5% of the gallbladders not associated to stones. In cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder there was no statistically significant association between the expression of this protein, the prognostic factors, histological type or grade, presence of gallstones and survival. CONCLUSIONS: The mutation of gene p53 is involved in the pathogenesis of carcinoma of the gallbladder, and the intense chronic inflammatory process associated or not with cholelithiasis, appears to be one of the factors involved in the genesis of this process. Our data do not show an association between p53 protein expression and patient's survival prognosis.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder as a histopathological finding after cholecystectomy].

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to determine the incidence in our population of gallbladder adenocarcinoma based on a histopathologic study done after cholecystectomy in patients with a diagnosis of gallstones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a census-type study during the last 3 years that included a total of 4548 gallbladders. Histopathologic results were analyzed and recollected in an established format. Finally, we calculated the incidence of malignant neoplasias of gallbladder in our hospital. RESULTS: The most common histopathologic finding was cholesterolosis (incidence: 26%), followed by xanthogranulomatous gallbladder (incidence: 0.94%). The incidence of gallbladder cancer was 0.54% (25 cases), the most common type being adenocarcinoma (incidence: 0.48%). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of gallbladder cancer in our hospital is among the lowest limits compared with the literature worldwide.

Adenocarcinoma↗

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for porcelain gallbladder].

The porcelain gallbladder is uncommon type of chronically inflamed gallbladder wall considered to be associated with a high frequency of adenocarcinoma and subsequently not suitable for a laparoscopic approach. In 12,000 patients chosen for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 4 porcelain gallbladders were diagnosed. In 2 cases the laparoscopic approach was successful. One conversion was due to an unconfirmed suspicion of gallbladder cancer and the other one to a fistula between the gallbladder and the common bile duct. Patients with a preoperative diagnosis of porcelain gallbladder must not be excluded from the laparoscopic approach yet a low threshold for conversion must be maintained in those with a cancer suspicion.

Adenocarcinoma↗