The non-conventional use of 99mTc-Tetrofosmine for dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy. (9/18)

BACKGROUND: Classic dynamic hepatobiliary scintigraphy (DHBS) is commonly performed with 99mTc-Iminodiacetic Acid (IDA) derivatives and represents a non-invasive diagnosis method for biliary dyskinesia, fistulas, surgical anastomosis, etc (1). This study assesses the possibility of performing DHBS with 99mTc-Tetrofosmine (TF), a radiopharmaceutical (RF) dedicated to myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS), but being excreted through the liver. The possibility to use 99mTc-TF for DHBS may be important in situations when the standardized RF for this procedure (IDA derivatives) is not available. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed DHBS for 30 patients referred for investigation by internal medicine and surgery departments. The patients had been fasting for 12 hours. The dynamic investigation started simultaneously with the intravenous (IV) administration of 37-110 MBq (1-3 mCi) 99mTc-TF. Dynamic images were recorded for 30-45 minutes, one image per minute, followed by static scintigraphy at 1 h, 1.5 h, 2 h, and 3 h after IV injection. RESULTS: The quality of scintigraphic images of the liver and biliary tree obtained at DHBS with 99mTc-TF ensured the correct diagnosis of biliary dyskinesia, stasis, stenosis, and fistulas. CONCLUSIONS: DHBS using 99mTc-TF is justified by the image quality and by the good cost/benefits ratio. Because the IDA derivatives are not always available, this finding may be important for medical practice. 99mTc-TF evacuated through the bile duct allows DHBS interpretation, while the necessary dose is approximately 8 to 20 times smaller than that used for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.  (+info)

Concomitant gastroparesis negatively affects children with functional gallbladder disease. (10/18)

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Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for retrieval of a proximally migrated pancreatic stent. (11/18)

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Biliary dyskinesia and symptomatic gallstone disease in children: two sides of the same coin? (12/18)

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Acalculous cholecystitis or biliary dyskinesia for Epstein-Barr virus gallbladder involvement? (13/18)

We present two patients with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection related to gallbladder involvement. Such an association is already known as EBV induced acalculous cholecystitis, diagnosed on the basis of ultrasonographic findings. In our patients, radioisotopic cholescintigraphy was also performed and it showed that gallbladder was visualized in both patients in contrast to that what can be observed in cases of cholecystitis. However, the value of ejection fraction was compatible with biliary dyskinesia. We, therefore, consider that impaired gallbladder contractility in EBV infection cases may actually represent biliary dyskinesia and not acalculous cholecystitis taking into account the radioisotopic findings and the self limited course of the disorder.  (+info)

Paradoxical response of sphincter of Oddi to intravenous injection of cholecystokinin or ceruletide. Manometric findings and results of treatment in biliary dyskinesia. (14/18)

Sixty two patients with a clinical suspicion of biliary dyskinesia were investigated with endoscopic manometry of the sphincter of Oddi before and after intravenous injection of cholecystokinin or ceruletide. In 52 patients injection was followed by decreased pressure in the sphincter of Oddi; 43 of these had normal prestimulatory values (group I), while the values were raised in the other nine patients (group II). A paradoxical response to intravenous injection was observed in 10 women (group III): increased baseline sphincteric pressure occurred in eight and increase in the amplitude of phasic contractions in four patients. The prestimulatory sphincteric pressure was raised in five and normal in the remaining patients. Eight patients were treated with papillotomy (seven) or balloon dilatation of the sphincter (one). They experienced relief of pain during a follow up period of 11-16 months. Intravenous injection of cholecystokinin or ceruletide may disclose a special type of biliary dyskinesia even in patients with normal prestimulatory manometric findings. Hormone injection increases the diagnostic yield of endoscopic manometry in patients suspected of biliary dyskinesia.  (+info)

Nonulcer dyspepsia. (15/18)

One third to one half of cases of dyspepsia remain unexplained. The cause of nonulcer dyspepsia is unknown, but aerophagia, esophageal dysfunction, pyloroduodenal dysmotility and the irritable bowel syndrome may be important factors in some patients. The symptoms are often affected by diet and emotion. History-taking and endoscopy are the most discriminating diagnostic tests. Unexplained dyspepsia tends to be a lifelong disease with few, if any, sequelae. Nevertheless, reassurance and treatment with a placebo, such as an antacid or simethicone, provide effective and safe relief for many patients.  (+info)

Biliary dyskinesia: role of the sphincter of Oddi, gallbladder and cholecystokinin. (16/18)

The availability of objective and quantitative diagnostic tests in recent years has allowed more precise documentation of biliary dyskinesia. Biliary dyskinesia consists of two disease entities situated at two different anatomical locations: sphincter of Oddi spasm, at the distal end of the common duct, and cystic duct syndrome, in the gallbladder. Both conditions are characterized by a paradoxical response in which the sphincter of Oddi and the cystic duct contract (and impede bile flow) instead of undergoing the normal dilatation, when the physiological dose of cholecystokinin is infused. Quantitative cholescintigraphy can clearly differentiate one disease entity from the other. The therapies of choice are sphincterotomy, sphincteroplasty or antispasmodics for sphincter of Oddi spasm and cholecystectomy for cystic duct syndrome. After quantitative cholescintigraphy, the final impression should identify the disease entity by name to assist the referring physician in making an appropriate therapeutic decision; a mere statement that a test is consistent with biliary dyskinesia is no longer sufficient.  (+info)