Functional analysis of gallbladder using three-dimensional ultrasound: preliminary results.
In evaluating gallbladder function, the clinical feasibility of three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound (US) using volumetric acquisition was assessed in 30 patients: 18 patients with gallstones and 12 healthy volunteers. 3-D ultrasonography was performed in each patient before and after a fat-meal test. The ejection fraction of the gallbladder from two volumes measured by computer-aided analysis was calculated. There were significant differences in the gallbladder ejection fractions among the diseased and control groups (p < 0.0001). Compared with the results of oral cholecystograms, the ejection fraction of the gallbladder using 3-D volumetry and the grade of oral cholecystography showed good correlation in predicting the gallbladder dysfunction (gamma = 0.71, p = 0.002). Even in cases failing oral cholecystography, the gallbladder ejection fraction using 3-D US was calculated without any difficulty. Conclusively, volumetric acquisition of 3-D US enables us to evaluate gallbladder function and provides a reliable diagnostic yield superior to oral cholecystography.
Kim
Ah Young
AY
Department of Radiology and Institute of Radiation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.
Choi
Byung Ihn
BI
Lee
Jae Young
JY
Kim
Kyoung Won
KW
Han
Joon Koo
JK
D000328:Adult; D002765:Cholecystography; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D016473:Gallbladder Emptying; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods