Scintigraphic evaluation of duodenogastric reflux: significance in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.
Duodenogastric reflux (DGR) as seen on hepatobiliary scintigraphy has been reported as a useful secondary sign for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. We evaluated the association of reflux with cases of acute cholecystitis as compared to those with chronic cholecystitis or other conditions. Thirty-six of 198 patients referred for hepatobiliary imaging showed DGR (18%). Among 26 patients with acute cholecystitis, 6 (23%) had DGR as compared to 9/40 (23%) cases with chronic cholecystitis, 3/12 cases with acute pancreatitis, 4/13 cases with previous cholecystectomy, and 3/8 cases with duodenal ulcer. No statistically significant differences were found between the prevalence of DGR in cases with acute cholecystitis and those with chronic cholecystitis or other nonacute cholecystitis diagnostic categories. Although acute cholecystitis is a condition frequently associated with DGR, such reflux is a nonspecific finding and should not be considered as a secondary sign of acute cholecystitis when interpreting hepatobiliary scans.
Elgazzar
A H
AH
E.L. Saenger Radioisotope Laboratory, Department of Radiology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, OH 45267-0577.
Fernandez-Ulloa
M
M
Ryan
J R
JR
McDevitt
R
R
Daya
S A
SA
Maxon
H R
HR
D000208:Acute Disease; D000814:Aniline Compounds; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004383:Duodenogastric Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005998:Glycine; D006801:Humans; D007098:Imino Acids; D015994:Incidence; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019785:Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin
D000814:Aniline Compounds; D007098:Imino Acids; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C034837:technetium Tc 99m mebrofenin; D019785:Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin; D005998:Glycine