title: Gallbladder motility in systemic sclerosis.
abstract: In 20 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and 24 healthy controls, gallbladder motility was evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography after stimulation by a standard liquid meal. Results from patients with normal and disturbed oesophageal function were analysed separately in order to investigate the significance of gallbladder motility as a parameter for gastrointestinal involvement in SSc. All patients showed a marked decrease in gallbladder size after stimulation (patients 61 +/- 13%; controls 48 +/- 12%). Patients with oesophageal dysfunction (n = 12) had a slightly lower gallbladder contraction (maximal decrease = 58 +/- 13%) when compared to patients with normal oesophageal function (n = 8; 66 +/- 13%); however, this difference was not statistically significant. Gallbladder motility in patients with SSc was not reduced when compared with healthy controls. SSc-induced oesophageal dysfunction was not associated with impaired gallbladder motility. Thus, measurement of gallbladder emptying is not a helpful tool when looking for gastrointestinal involvement in SSc.
authors.affiliation: University of Regensburg, Department of Internal Medicine I, Germany.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lock
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zeuner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kammerl
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lang
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schölmerich
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holstege
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography