Sonographic Assessment of Gallbladder Motility in the Ibo Population of Nigeria: A Feasibility Study

Abstract

Gallbladder motility is affected in some gallbladder diseases. Reference values for normal gallbladder motility have not been established. The aim of this study is to establish multiple regression equations and reference values for predicting gallbladder motility in adult Nigerians. Forty healthy volunteers underwent serial sonographic scanning of the gallbladder between January and June 2005. Gallbladder volumes were calculated by ellipsoid approximation, and the 20th-minute gallbladder emptying rate (GBER) and gallbladder contraction index (GBCI) were computed. Anthropometric variables were equally measured. Multiple linear regression equations were derived using GBCI and GBER as dependent variables with age and body mass index as independent variables. The standard deviations for GBER were 0.429 and 0.457 in men and women, respectively, whereas the standard deviations for GBCI were 16.81 and 18.81 for men and women, respectively.

Keywords

gallbladder motility gallbladder contraction index gallbladder emptying rate Nigerians

References

Ugwu AC : Cholecystodynamics: a new regression formula. Pak J Med Res 2006;45:17–20.

Pallota N : Ultrasonography in the assessment of gallbladder motor activity. Dig Liver Dis 2003;35:567–569.

Bar RG , Agnes J : Cholecystokinin ultrasonography by slow infusion technique: results in a symptomatic population, in Suhas GP, Harry GZ (moderators): Abdomen-General/Others. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, official proceeding, 42nd Annual Convention, March 24, 1998, p 50-50.

Mondaine P , Davion T , Capron D , Capron JP : Ultrasound study of gallbladder motility in healthy subjects: reproducibility of the method and effect of alcohol. Gastroenterol Clinical Biol 1993;17:839–844.

Wedmann B , Schmidt G , Wegener M , Coenen C , Ricken D , Altoff J : Effects of age and gender on fat-induced gallbladder contraction and gastric emptying of a caloric liquid meal. Am J Gastroenterol 1991;86:1765–1770.

Sari R , Balci MK , Coban E , Kerayalcin U : Sonographic evaluation of gallbladder volume and ejection fraction in obese women without gallstones. J Clin Ultrasound 2003;31:352–357.

Hashimoto S , Goto H , Hirooka Y, S et al: An evaluation of three-dimensional ultrasonography for the measurement of gallbladder volume. Am J Gastroenterol 1991;94:3492-3492.

Fajan SS : Diabetes mellitus, in Berkow R , Beers Mh , Bogin RM (eds): The Merck Manual of Medical Information. Whitehouse Station, NJ, Merck and Co., 1997, pp 717–723.

Simon BJ : Clinical manifestations of Liver disease, in Berkow R , Beers MH , Bogin RM (eds): The Merck Manual of Medical Information. Whitehouse Station, NJ, Merck and Co., 1997, pp 550–723.

10.

Romanski WK : Accuracy of estimation of canine gallbladder volume from one measurement. Bull Veterinary Inst 2004;48:159–162.

11.

Zimmermann P , Takala T , Poyhonen L , Punnonen R : Ultrasonography of the thyroid gland in pregnancies complicated by autoimmune thyroid disease. J Clin Ultrasound 1993;21:109–113.

12.

Vitti P , Martino E , Aghini-Lombardi F , et al: Thyroid volume measurement by ultrasound in children as a tool for the assessment of mild iodine deficiency. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1994;79:600–603.

13.

Perry A , Schacht M : Complete Guide to Men's Health. New York, John Wiley, 2001.

14.

Truswell AS : Nutritional factors in disease, in Edwards CRW , Bouchier IAD , Haslett C (eds): Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine. 17th ed. Edinburgh, UK, Churchill Livingston, 1995, p 580-580.

15.

Ho ML , Chen JY , Ling UP , Su PH : Gallbladder volume and contractility in term and preterm neonates: normal values and clinical application in ultrasonography. Acta Paediatric 1998;87:799–804.

16.

Njoku CH , Anah CO : Reference values for peak expiratory flow rate in adults of African descent. Tropical Doctor 2004;34:135–140.

17.

National Institute of Health Consensus Panel : Health implications of obesity. Ann Intern Med 1985;103:47-47.

18.

Polgar S , Thomas S : Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences. 3rd ed. Melbourne, UK, Churchill Livingstone, 1995.

19.

Potit D , Hungler B : Nursing Research: Principles and Methods. 6th ed. Philadelphia, Lippincott, 1991.