Hypokinetic gallbladder disease: a cause of chronic abdominal pain in children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Impaired gallbladder emptying has been identified as a cause of chronic abdominal pain in adults. This study aims to define a pediatric population with functional abnormalities of gallbladder contractility and to assess clinical outcome after cholecystectomy.


METHODS
Children and adolescents (n = 42) with abdominal complaints underwent gallbladder emptying studies, measured by either ultrasonography or scintigraphy with intravenous cholecystokinin (CCK). On ultrasound studies, gallbladder volume was measured before injection and 15 minutes after injection. Measures of gallbladder emptying by scintigraphy were taken at least 30 minutes after CCK injection. A study was classified as abnormal for contractility less than 50%. Cholecystectomy was performed and outcomes were evaluated during office visits and by telephone interview.


RESULTS
Abdominal pain and fatty food intolerance were the predominant symptoms. Patients were treated by open (n = 2) or laparoscopic (n = 40) cholecystectomy. In 20 cases the gallbladder showed chronic inflammation on pathology. Response to surgical therapy was excellent in 41 patients (mean follow-up, 20.4 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Children and adolescents with persistent abdominal pain should undergo functional assessment of gallbladder contractility. Patients with abnormal gallbladder contractility benefit from cholecystectomy.
Dumont
R C
RC
Department of Pediatrics, Ohio State University College of Medicine and Public Health, and Children's Hospital, Columbus 43205, USA.
Caniano
D A
DA
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002766:Cholecystokinin; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019784:Technetium Tc 99m Diethyl-iminodiacetic Acid
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019784:Technetium Tc 99m Diethyl-iminodiacetic Acid; D002766:Cholecystokinin