A comparative study of gallbladder function using echography and HIDA-CCK.

Abstract

This paper compares two methods of evaluating gall-bladder function after stimulation with cholecystokinin (CCK); One, the echographic method, permits the gall-bladder contraction study by determining variations in face area of the organ. The other, the scintigraphic method (HIDA-CCK test), studies of the gall-bladder emptying registering the decreases of activity by external counts. Out of 20 studies performed: 8 cases presented a contractile response and normal emptying; 7 had an abnormality late initial response (Ti) and contraction and emptying (defined by T1/2) slower than normal. In the 5 patients the gall-bladder traced with HIDA did not respond to CCK. Within this group, one patient had an incomplete painful contraction, evaluation by echography. The onset of pain or sub-costal discomfort was a variable finding within the different study groups. The linear coefficient correlation for the normal group and for the patients with late response was 0.8255 (x = 2.216 gamma-4.59). Based on these data and taking into account cheaper cost, patient comfort, and greater availability of equipment, the echographic method for studying gall-bladder contraction after administration of CCK, can be used instead of the HIDA-CCK procedure.