Symptomatic cholelithiasis may be the first sign of sarcoidosis

SUMMARY Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic noncaseating granulomatous disease that rarely affects the gastrointestinal system. The initial diagnosis of sarcoidosis with gallbladder/gallbladder-associated lymph node involvement is a very rare condition in the literature. Herein, we aimed to report a case of newly diagnosed sarcoidosis with lymph node involvement associated with the gallbladder.

RESUMO A sarcoidose é uma doença granulomatosa multissistêmica não-caseosa que raramente afeta o sistema gastrointestinal. O diagnóstico inicial de sarcoidose com envolvimento de linfonodo da vesícula biliar ou associado à vesícula biliar é muito raro na literatura. Aqui, o nosso objetivo foi relatar um caso de sarcoidose recém-diagnosticado com envolvimento de linfonodos associados à vesícula biliar.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ercp): analysis of the effectiveness and safety of the procedure in the patient with roux-en-y gastric bypass / Colangiopancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica (cpre): análise da eficácia e segurança do procedimento em paciente com bypass gástrico em y-de- roux

ABSTRACT Background: Obesity can be treated with bariatric surgery; but, excessive weight loss may lead to diseases of the bile duct such as cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for these conditions, and may be hampered by the anatomical changes after surgery. Aim: Report the efficacy and the safety of videolaparoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography technique in patients after bariatric surgery with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Method: Retrospective study performed between 2007 and 2017. Data collected were: age, gender, surgical indication, length of hospital stay, etiological diagnosis, rate of therapeutic success, intra and postoperative complications. Results: Seven patients had choledocholithiasis confirmed by image exam, mainly in women. The interval between gastric bypass and endoscopic procedure ranged from 1 to 144 months. There were no intraoperative complications. The rate of duodenal papillary cannulation was 100%. Regarding complications, the majority of cases were related to gastrostomy, and rarely to endoscopic procedure. There were two postoperative complications, a case of chest-abdominal pain refractory to high doses of morphine on the same day of the procedure, and a laboratory diagnosis of acute pancreatitis after the procedure in an asymptomatic patient. The maximum hospital stay was four days. Conclusion: The experience with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography through laparoscopic gastrostomy is a safe and effective procedure, since most complications are related to the it and did not altered the sequence to perform the conventional cholangiopancreatography.

RESUMO Racional: A obesidade pode ser tratada com a cirurgia bariátrica; porém, doenças da via biliar como colelitíase e coledocolitíase podem surgir, principalmente devido à grande perda de peso. A colangiopancreatografia retrógrada é procedimento diagnóstico e terapêutico dessas afecções, e pode ser dificultada pela alteração anatômica após a operação. Objetivos: Relatar a eficácia e a segurança da colangiopancreatografia endoscópica retrógrada assistida por videolaparoscopia nos pacientes pós-cirurgia bariátrica com derivação gástrica em Y-de-Roux. Método: Estudo retrospectivo entre 2007 e 2017. Foram coletados: idade, gênero, indicação cirúrgica, tempo de internamento, diagnóstico etiológico, taxa de sucesso terapêutico, intercorrências intra e pós-operatórias. Resultados: Sete pacientes tiveram coledocolitíase confirmada por exame de imagem, principalmente em mulheres. O intervalo entre a derivação gástrica e o procedimento endoscópico variou de 1 a 144 meses. Não houve intercorrências intraoperatórias. A canulação da papila duodenal foi obtida em 100% dos casos. A maioria dos casos de complicações foi relacionada à gastrostomia, e raramente ao procedimento endoscópico. Houve duas intercorrências pós-operatórias, um caso de dor toracoabdominal refratária às doses elevadas de morfina no mesmo dia do procedimento, além de um diagnóstico laboratorial de pancreatite aguda pós-procedimento em paciente assintomático. A permanência hospitalar máxima foi de quatro dias. Conclusão: A colangiopancreatografia retrógrada endoscópica pela gastrostomia laparoscópica é método eficaz, seguro, visto que a maioria das complicações foi relacionada à gastrostomia; ela não altera a sequência de realização da colangiopancreatografia convencional.

Duplicación de la vesícula biliar / Gallbladder duplication

Gallbladder duplication is a rare congenital anomaly and, like other biliary malformations, is associated with an increased risk of complications in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy We present a case of a woman consulting in the emergency department for clinical symptoms compatible with acute cholecystitis. An abdominal ultrasound is performed confirming the clinical suspicions, observing the typical findings. Pathological dilatation of the extrahepatic biliary tract is also confirmed, therefore she is evaluated with MR cholangiography, which also confirms signs compatible with acute cholecystitis; the presence of a cystic formation of saccular morphology in an intrahepatic location was identified, with the same structure as the gallbladder, but smaller in size and with a duct of its own that drained into the common hepatic duct independently to the cystic duct of the inflamed vesicle.

La duplicación de la vesícula biliar es una anomalía del desarrollo poco frecuente, y al igual que otras malformaciones de la vía biliar, se asocia a un mayor riesgo de complicaciones en la colecis-tectomía laparoscópica. Se presenta un caso de una mujer que consulta en el servicio de urgencia por cuadro clínico compatible con colecistitis aguda. Se realiza una ecografía abdominal que confirma la presunción clínica, observándose los hallazgos típicos. Se constata además dilatación patológica de la vía biliar extrahepática, por lo que se evalúa con colangiorresonancia, que además de confirmar los signos compatibles con la colecistitis aguda, se identificó la presencia de una formación quística de morfología sacular en situación intrahepática, de igual morfología que la vesícula biliar, pero de menor tamaño y con un conducto propio que drenaba al conducto hepático común en forma independiente al conducto cístico de la vesícula inflamada.

Efecto de la ingesta de vitamina C en el proceso de formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol / Effects of vitamin C administration on cholesterol gallstone formation

Background: Biliary cholesterol is transported by vesicles and micelles. Cholesterol microcrystals are derived from thermodynamically unstable vesicles. In experimental animals vitamin C deficiency leads to a super-saturation of biliary cholesterol and to the formation of gallstones. Aim: To search for a possible relationship between serum levels of vitamin C and the formation of cholesterol gallstones in patients with cholelithiasis. Material and Methods: Thirteen patients with cholelithiasis and a programmed surgical intervention were treated with 2 g/day of vitamin C per os for two weeks before surgery. Forty nine patients subjected to a cholecystectomy not supplemented with vitamin C were studied as controls. Plasma concentrations of vitamin C and lipid profiles were measured. The cholesterol saturation index, crystallization time, cholesterol and phospholipid content in vesicles and micelles, separated by gel filtration chromatography, were studied in bile samples obtained from the gallbladder. Results: Vitamin C supplementation did not change significantly plasma lipids and bile lipid concentrations. However, in supplemented patients, significant reductions in vesicular cholesterol content (6.5 ± 4.8% compared to 17.9 ± 14.0% in the control group; p < 0.05) and vesicular cholesterol/phospholipid ratio (0.71 ± 0.53 compared to 1.36 ± 1.15 in controls; p < 0.05), were observed. Conclusions: Vitamin C administration may modify bile cholesterol crystallization process, the first step in cholesterol gallstone formation.

Prevalence of cholelithiasis in patients with chagasic megaesophagus / Prevalência de colelitíase em pacientes com megaesôfago chagásico

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of cholelithiasis in the general population ranges from 9 to 18 percent. This prevalence is known to be higher in the presence of parasympathetic nerve damage of the biliary tract either due to surgery (vagotomy) or neuronal destruction (Chagas disease). The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of cholelithiasis and chagasic or idiopathic megaesophagus. METHODS: The ultrasound scans of 152 patients with megaesophagus submitted to cardiomyotomy and subtotal esophagectomy surgery were evaluated. The presence of cholelithiasis was compared between chagasic and idiopathic esophagopathy and ultrasound and clinical findings were correlated with age, sex and race. RESULTS: A total of 152 cases of megaesophagus, including 137 with chagasic megaesophagus and 15 with idiopathic megaesophagus, were analyzed. The mean age was 56.7 years (45-67) in the 137 patients with chagasic megaesophagus and 35.6 years (27-44) in the 15 cases of idiopathic megaesophagus, with a significant difference between the two groups (p < 0.0001). The group with chagasic megaesophagus consisted of 59 (43 percent) women and 78 (56.9 percent) men, while the group with idiopathic megaesophagus consisted of 8 (53.3 percent) women and 7 (46.6 percent) men, showing no significant difference between the groups. Of the 137 patients with confirmed chagasic megaesophagus, 39 (28.4 percent) presented cholelithiasis versus one case (6.6 percent) in the 15 patients with idiopathic megaesophagus. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of cholelithiasis is high in patients with chagasic megaesophagus and preoperative ultrasound should be performed routinely in these patients in order to treat both conditions during the same surgical procedure.

INTRODUÇÃO: A prevalência de colelitíase observada na população em geral varia de 9 a 18 por cento. Sabe-se que a prevalência de colelitíase é elevada quando existe lesão nervosa parassimpática das vias biliares, causada tanto por procedimentos cirúrgicos (vagotomias),quanto por destruição neuronal, como observado na forma digestiva da doença de Chagas. Propusemo-nos verificar a associação entre megaesôfago de etiologia chagásica e a presença de colelitíase. MÉTODOS: Avaliou-se prospectivamente o exame ultrassonográfico de 152 pacientes portadores de megaesôfago submetidos à cirurgia de cardiomiotomia e esofagectomia subtotal. Analisou-se comparativamente a esofagopatia chagásica e a idiopática com a presença de colelitíase, correlacionando os dados ultrassonográficos com os achados clínicos, idade, sexo e raça. RESULTADOS: Foram analisados 152 casos de megaesôfago, sendo 137 de etiologia chagásica e 15 idiopáticos. Entre os chagásicos, a idade média foi de 56,7 anos (45-67); e nos idiopáticos, a média de idade foi de 35,6 anos (27-44), verificando-se diferença significativa (p < 0,0001) em relação à média de idade. Dos 137 chagásicos, 78 (56,9 por cento) eram do sexo masculino; entre os 15 idiopáticos, 7 (46,6 por cento) eram do sexo masculino. A comparação entre os grupos em relação ao gênero não mostrou diferença significativa. Dentre os 137 chagásicos detectou-se 39 (28,4 por cento) casos de colelitíase e, dentre os 15 casos de megaesôfago idiopático, constatou-se colelitíase em apenas um (6,6 por cento). CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que portadores de megaesôfago chagásico possuem alta prevalência de colelitíase, e que a ultrassonografia deve ser realizada rotineiramente no pré-operatório, a fim de tratar ambas as afecções no mesmo ato cirúrgico.

Triplication of Gallbladder

Triplication of gallbladder is a very rare congenital anamoly of biliary tract and is unlikely to be revealed unless there are associated symptoms. The modern imaging techniques usually fail to define the exact anatomy. Pre-operative awareness of this anatomic variation can minimize the chances of any damage to the biliary tract. This case report describes a patient with cholelithiasis diagnosed to have double gallbladder on pre-operative ultrasound

Colelitíase no paciente pediátrico portador de doença falciforme: [revisão] / Cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell disease: [review]

OBJETIVO: Considerando a alta freqüência da colelitíase no paciente pediátrico com doença falciforme e a controvérsia na literatura sobre a abordagem da condição, o presente texto objetiva revisar a literatura disponível. FONTE DE DADOS: Revisão dos estudos sobre colelitíase no paciente falciforme, publicados no período entre 1980 e 2007, em língua inglesa e portuguesa, envolvendo pacientes na faixa etária de zero a 18 anos e utilizando os bancos de dados Medline e Lilacs. SÍNTESE DOS DADOS: A colelitíase é a complicação digestiva mais comum no paciente falciforme e sua incidência aumenta com a faixa etária. Os mecanismos fisiopatológicos são conhecidos, assim como os métodos diagnósticos. A conduta terapêutica consensual na colelitíase sintomática é a colecistectomia, preferencialmente por via laparoscópica. Nos casos assintomáticos, a maioria dos autores recomenda a conduta cirúrgica, para evitar complicações, confusão no diagnóstico diferencial de dor abdominal futura e menor risco cirúrgico. Contudo, não existe consenso na literatura, havendo base para a adoção de conduta expectante. CONCLUSÕES: A doença falciforme tem grandes variações em sua apresentação clinica, história natural e gravidade da hemólise. Algumas populações podem apresentar menor freqüência de colelitíase e menor número de pacientes sintomáticos, possivelmente em razão de variações de haplótipos, fatores ambientais e diferentes manejos clínicos. Ainda não existem dados suficientes na literatura ou estudos randomizados e controlados que possibilitem definir o momento ideal para a colecistectomia no paciente falciforme com litíase assintomática. Dessa maneira, dependendo de características individuais e da população, podem ser aceitos o seguimento clínico ou a indicação precoce de colecistectomia.

OBJECTIVE: Given the high frequency of cholelithiasis in children with sickle cell disease and the controversies about its management, the aim of this study was to critically review the literature about this issue. DATA SOURCES: Published studies in English and Portuguese from 1980 to 2007 about cholelithiasis and sickle cell anemia in children were retrieved from Medline and Lilacs databases. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cholelithiasis is the most common digestive complication of sickle cell disease patients and its frequency increases with age. Physiopathology of gallstones and diagnostic methods are well established. Cholecystectomy is the recommended therapy for symptomatic cholelithiasis, preferentially by laparoscopic approach. In asymptomatic patients, most studies favors the surgical management of the disease in order to avoid complications and to reduce difficulties with the differential diagnosis of future abdominal pain. However, the clinical management of this condition is also possible and there is no consensus in the literature regarding the best approach. CONCLUSIONS: Sickle cell disease presents great variations in clinical presentation, natural history and severity of hemolysis. Some populations may present lower frequency of cholelithiasis and its symptoms. Variability in the frequency of this complication may be attributed to genetic variation in haplotipes, environmental factors, clinical course and management of the sickle cell disease. Scientific evidence regarding the best time to indicate cholecystectomy in asymptomatic patient is not available. Therefore, decision regarding the need of clinical or surgical approach of the cholelithiasis depends on individual and population factors.

Cholelithiasis and biliary sludge in Down’s syndrome patients

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Although studies have demonstrated increased frequency of gallbladder abnormalities among Down’s syndrome (DS) patients in some countries, there is only one paper on this subject in the Brazilian literature. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the prevalence, clinical characteristics and evolution of lithiasis and biliary sludge among DS patients in a maternity and children’s hospital in Rio de Janeiro. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study followed by a retrospective cohort study on all individuals with an ultrasound diagnosis of gallbladder abnormalities. METHODS: 547 DS patients (53.2 percent male, 46.8 percent female) attending the Instituto Fernandes Figueira in 2001 underwent abdominal ultrasound examination at ages of between one day and three years (mean: five months). Clinical and ultrasound data were analyzed. RESULTS: In 50 patients (9.1 percent), the ultrasound demonstrated gallbladder abnormalities (6.9 percent lithiasis and 2.1 percent biliary sludge). Spontaneous resolution was observed in 66.7 percent of the patients with biliary sludge and 28.9 percent with lithiasis. Cholecystectomy was carried out on 26.3 percent of the patients with gallstones. CONCLUSION: The results from this study and comparison with the literature suggest that DS patients are at risk of developing lithiasis and biliary sludge and should be monitored throughout the neonatal period, even if there are no known risk factors for gallstone formation. Most frequently, these gallbladder abnormalities occur without symptoms and spontaneously resolve in most non-symptomatic patients. DS patients should be monitored with serial abdominal ultrasound, and cholecystectomy is indicated for symptomatic cases or when cholecystitis is present.

OBJETIVO: Demonstrar prevalência, características clínicas e evolução de litíase e lama biliar em pacientes com síndrome de Down (SD) num hospital materno-infantil no Rio de Janeiro. Apesar de estudos revelarem aumento das anormalidades biliares em pacientes com SD em alguns países, no Brasil existe apenas um trabalho abordando o tema. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal seguido por um estudo de coorte retrospectivo de todos os indivíduos com diagnóstico ultra-sonográfico de anormalidades da vesícula biliar. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 547 pacientes com SD (53,2 por cento sexo masculino, 46,8 por cento feminino) atendidos no Instituto Fernandes Figueira, Fundação Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IFF-Fiocruz) em 2001. Todos os pacientes incluídos neste estudo foram submetidos a ultra-sonografia abdominal quando tinham idades variando entre um dia e três anos (mediana cinco meses). Dados clínicos e ultra-sonográficos foram avaliados. RESULTADOS: Em 50 (9,1 por cento) crianças, a ultra-sonografia demonstrou alteração da vesícula biliar (6,9 por cento litíase e 2,2 por cento lama biliar). Houve resolução espontânea em 66,7 por cento dos pacientes com lama biliar e em 28,9 por cento dos pacientes com litíase. A colecistectomia foi realizada em 26,3 por cento dos pacientes com cálculo biliar. CONCLUSÃO: Resultados deste estudo e a comparação com a literatura sugerem que a SD deve ser considerada como fator de risco para desenvolvimento de litíase e lama biliar em crianças, sobretudo no período neonatal, sem que existam outros fatores predisponentes para formação de cálculo biliar. Na maioria das vezes, estas alterações são assintomáticas e, freqüentemente, têm evolução favorável, permanecendo desta forma ou tendo resolução espontânea. Pacientes devem ser acompanhados com ultra-sonografias seriadas. Tratamento cirúrgico está indicado para casos sintomáticos ou na presença de colecistite.

Fatores preditivos de colelitíase em obesos mórbidos após astroplastia em Y de Roux / Predictive factors for cholelithiasis in morbidly obese submitted to Y de Roux gastroplasty

OBJETIVO: Avaliar fatores preditivos de colelitíase em obesos mórbidos submetidos a gastroplastia com reconstrução em Y de Roux. MÉTODOS: Estudou-se um grupo de pacientes obesos inscritos no programa para tratamento cirúrgico da obesidade mórbida do Departamento de Cirurgia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo. Os critérios de exclusão foram: pacientes colecistectomizados previamente, pacientes com diagnóstico de colelitíase no pré-operatório e casos em que a ultra-sonografia era duvidosa em relação à presença de cálculos biliares. Foram operados 160 pacientes, sendo 29 com colecistectomia prévia, 23 com litíase biliar pré-peratória, 5 com ultrassonografia duvidosa e 103 com vesícula biliar normal ao ultra-som de abdome. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que 48 (46,6 por cento) pacientes desenvolveram colelitíase, sendo 22 sintomáticos. Quando comparamos os pacientes com e sem colelitíase, não observamos diferenças significativas em relação à idade, sexo e peso pré-operatório. O índice de massa corpórea, os níveis séricos de triglicérides, o colesterol total e suas frações VLDL-colesterol e LDL-colesterol foram superiores no grupo que desenvolveu colelitíase em relação aos pacientes sem cálculos, sendo esta diferença estatisticamente significativa. A porcentagem de perda de peso no 6° e 12° mês pós-operatório foi significativamente superior nos pacientes que desenvolveram cálculos biliares. CONCLUSÃO: O estudo permite concluir que índice de massa corpórea, os níveis de triglicérides, colesterol total e suas frações LDL e VLDL são fatores preditivos de colelitíase após gastroplastia com reconstrução em Y de Roux.

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to evaluate predictive factors for cholelithiasis in morbidly obese submitted to gastroplasty with "Y" de Roux reconstruction. METHODS: The population under study was a group of obese patients enrolled in a program of surgical procedure for morbid obesity at the Department of Surgery, College of Medical Sciences, Santa Casa de São Paulo. The exclusion criteria were: patients previously cholecystectomized, patients with diagnosis of pre-operative cholelithiasis and patients with a questionable ultrasonography about existence of billiary stones. A total of 160 patients were operated, 29 with prior cholecystectomy, 23 with pre-operative biliar lithiasis , 5 with questionable ultrasonography about billiary stones and 103 with normal gallbladders at abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Results showed that (46.6 percent) of patients developed cholelithiasis, 22 of them symptomatic. When patients with or without cholelithiasis were compared, no significant difference related to age, gender and preoperative weight was observed. The body mass index, the triglycerides serum levels, total cholesterol and the fractions HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were higher in the group who developed cholelithiasis compared to patients without gallstones and this difference was statistically significant. The percentage of weight loss in the 6th and 12th postoperative month was significantly higher in patients who developed billiary stones. CONCLUSION: The study leads to conclude that body mass index, levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and the fractions LDL and VLDL are predictive factors for cholelithiasis post-gastroplasty with the "Y" de Roux reconstruction.

Cristales biliares en Pancreatitis Aguda Idiopática (PAI) / Biliary crystals in idiopathic acute pancreatitis

Entre los casos de Pancreatitis Aguda Idiopática (PAI), una de las causas más frecuentes, es la presencia de microlitiasis, etiología que se observa más frecuentemente en países donde la colelitiasis es más común. Es conocido que la presencia de microlitiasis en la vesícula biliar puede ser difícil de demostrar con los métodos habituales de imágenes. Se ha descrito que el análisis microscópico de la bilis (estudio de cristales), después de la estimulación duodenal, con el objeto de observar microcristales de colesterol, contribuye a la confirmación del diagnóstico en estos casos, en un porcentaje de alrededor del 75 por ciento (dos terceras partes) de casos de PAI. En el presente artículo, se describe la metodología recomendable para el estudio de sedimento biliar (SB) y de cristales en la bilis.

Wilson's disease--unusual features.

Two cases of Wilson's disease with unusual features are reported. In one case neurological abnormality was the presenting feature without any clinical involvement of the liver. In the other case, neurologic manifestations were associated with rickets and cholelithiasis, a result of chronic hemolytic state. Apart from clinical profile both the cases were diagnosed by grossly reduced serum ceruloplasmin level. However, Kayser-Fleischer rings were found in each case.

La litiasis biliar y el cáncer de la vesícula y vías biliares en Chile: dos estrategias / Gallstone disease and gallbladder cancer in Chile: two strategies

En Chile, el tumor maligno de la vesícula y vías biliares es la principal causa de muerte por cáncer en el sexo femenino. En este artículo se analiza el comportamiento epidemiológico de esta enfermedad y el de su condicionante principal: la litiasis biliar sintomática. Sobre la base de la abundante bibliografía nacional, se acepta que la colecistectomía oportuna es la única medida actualmente efectiva para prevenir el cáncer vesicular y las otras graves complicaciones de la litiasis biliar. Se propone ejecutar un programa de control de los problemas mencionados, consistente en llevar la frecuencia de las colecistectomías a un nivel suficiente en las edades adecuadas. Se presentan distintas opciones para el diseño de tal programa, así como los resultados que se pueden esperar. Sobre la base de las diferencias de incidencia observadas entre las regiones norte y sur de Chile, se propone una investigación de los factores causales de la litiasis biliar, cuyos resultados servirían de base para la prevención primaria de dicha condición y de sus complicaciones.

Combined needlescopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy for the treatment of thalassaemic splenomegaly and cholelithiasis

Gallstone disease is a common association in patients with haematological splenomegaly. When indicated, simultaneous splenectomy and cholecystectomy should be performed and traditionally this is accomplished by open surgery. We report a 17 year old thalassaemic girl with splenomegaly complicated by gallstone pancreatitis. We treated her with a combination of needlescopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic splenectomy as well as delivering the huge spleen via a pfannenstiel incision to hide the scar. We believe this technique is an acceptable alternative mainly for rapid delivery of the spleen and to minimize visible scars hence improving cosmesis.

Cholelithiasis in thalassaemia major.

The incidence of gall stones in thalassaemia is less than that in sickle cell anaemia or hereditary spherocytosis. With adequate blood transfusions, the incidence is as low as 2%. There are not many reports on cholelithiasis in thalassaemia. A case of 24-year-old female with thalassaemia major and gall stone is reported here.

Comparison of effects of cholecystokinin and erythromycin on bile chemistry and gallstone formation in aged guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND: There has been considerable interest in gall bladder motility in recent years. We compared the effects of cholecystokinin (CCK) and erythromycin on bile chemistry and gallstone formation in aged guinea pigs. METHODS: Two groups of guinea pigs (1-mo and 3-y old; n=40 each) were studied. Each group was divided into four subgroups of 10 animals each; one subgroup received lithogenic diet, one each received CCK or erythromycin daily in addition to lithogenic diet for 4 weeks, and one received normal diet. After 4 weeks, the presence of gallstones or sludge was recorded and bile composition including concentrations of bile acid, cholesterol, lecithin and protein concentrations was studied. RESULTS: No gallstones were observed in the 1-mo-old animals. In the 3-year-old animals, 9 of 10 guinea pigs on lithogenic diet and 4 of 10 in each treatment subgroup and the normal diet subgroup developed gallstones. CCK and erythromycin had similar effects on bile chemistry and stone formation. CONCLUSIONS: Aging increases the formation of gallstones in guinea pigs. Erythromycin is as effective as CCK in reducing gallstone formation by improving gall bladder motility.

Hepatobiliary abnormalities and parenteral nutrition.

Hepatobiliary dysfunctions (TPN-HBD) occur during parenteral nutrition. In older children these are usually reversible whereas in newborns and infants these hepatobiliary abnormalities play a significant role in the morbidity. Cholestasis is a commonly occurring TPN-HBD. It correlates directly with the decreasing gestational age, low birth weight and increasing duration of TPN therapy. The pathogenesis of cholestasis of TPN is multifactorial and predisposed by necrotising enterocolitis, sepsis, cardiac failure, shock, and hypotension. Diagnosis is made with exclusion of other causes of direct hyperbilirubinemia. Most TPN-HBD appear within 4 weeks of starting of TPN but severe complications manifest usually after the 16th week. Histologically there is intralobular cholestasis. In few cases there may be severe portal fibrosis followed by development of micronodular biliary cirrhosis. Enteral starvation, defective bile acid carriers, hypercaloric TPN are the major factors responsible for TPN-HBD, including cholestasis. Biliary complications of TPN-HBD are acalculous, cholecystitis, and cholelithiasis. Bile stasis is a major pathological factor for these. If the calories are provided only by glucose or glucose-containing electrolyte solutions it may lead to cholestasis and other TPN-HBD. Even small oral alimentation (continuous or bolus) during TPN, prevent TPN-HBD. Choleretic agents have been useful in the prevention and management of cholestasis and other parenteral nutrition induced hepatobiliary abnormalities.