Evaluation Of The Gallbladder Contraction Using Ultrasound

Abstract

iv Abstract: Gallbladder contractility helps clinicians assess morbidity and the presence of some hepatobiliary diseases. No such study to the best of knowledge has been conducted in Sudan bearing in mind possible racial variations. The aims of the study are to evaluate the gallbladder contraction indices in adult Sudanese and derive prediction formulas for gallbladder contraction index in healthy adults in order to help the assessment of gallbladder diseases. The length, width and height of the gallbladder of 60 normal subjects (44 males and 16 females) in Khartoum State, Sudan were measured by real time ultrasonography between October 2011 and March 2012. The gallbladder volume was calculated using the ellipsoid formula. Gallbladder contraction index (GBCI) taken at the 10th and 20th minute following the ingestion of a standardized fatty meal (SFM) was obtained from the 50 subjects and the mean of the two values adopted as the actual GBCI. Pearson‟s correlation established relationship between GBCI and anthropometric variables and Regression equations were established. The age ranged from20 to 40 years old, the weight ranged from 50 to 94 (kg), the height ranged from 150 to 185 (cm). The incidence is 73%, 27% for male and female respectively. The result of this study has given a mean of height is 170.4±6.7cm, mean of weight is71.8±12.9Kg, mean of pre-fatty meal G.B volume is17.3±7.9, mean of post-fatty meal G.B volume is10.01±5.3, mean of pre-fatty meal G.B wall-thickening is 0.32±0.1 and post-fatty meal G.B wall-thickening is 0.6±0.5. These results could not be compared directly with any other established value as different timing and cholecystokinetic agents were used by various researchers. Height correlates better with GBCI than weight In conclusion this study will impact on patient management and diagnosis as cut off values established or predicted should help in assessing prognosis in patients with gallbladder diseases.