The relationship between in vivo emptying of the gallbladder, biliary pain, and in vitro contractility of the gallbladder in patients with gallstones: is biliary colic muscular in origin?
BACKGROUND
This study sought to determine whether there is a positive correlation between gallbladder emptying, biliary pain, and in vitro contractility.


METHODS
Ultrasound measurements were carried out on 25 gallstone patients. The response of gallbladder strips to 1.75*10(-11) to 5.25*10(-7) M cholecystokinin-8 was recorded. In a second study 23 patients filled in pain questionnaires, and in vitro studies were again carried out.


RESULTS
Of five patients with no gallbladder emptying, four had in vitro contraction. Overall, a significant, positive linear correlation was found (P < 0.0001). In the second study in vitro contractility showed a positive linear correlation with pain.


CONCLUSIONS
Gallbladder emptying correlates with contractility. However, since most 'non-contractors' can contract, we suggest the term 'non-emptying' or 'emptying' to describe gallbladder dynamics. The positive correlation between pain and contractility suggests that biliary pain has a muscular component.
Wegstapel
H
H
University Dept. of Surgical and Anaesthetic Sciences, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, University of Sheffield, UK.
Bird
N C
NC
Chess-Williams
R
R
Johnson
A G
AG
D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003085:Colic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012844:Sincalide / Q000494:pharmacology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D012844:Sincalide