BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with increased prevalence of gallstones and acute acalculous cholecystitis. A possible explanation for the increased prevalence of gallstones in SCI patients is decreased gallbladder motility causing gallbladder stasis. In this study, we investigated gallbladder function in patients with SCI. METHODS: Eighteen normal controls, 16 trauma controls and 46 SCI patients were included in this study. Gallbladder function was measured by technium 99m-labeled imino-diacetic acid analogue ((99)Tc(m)-DISIDA) hepatobiliary imaging and represented by filling fraction (FF) and ejection fraction (EF). The data from SCI patients were analyzed according to old versus young, female versus male, heavy versus light body weight, ASIA A & B versus ASIA C & D classification, high- versus low-level injury, and long versus short injury duration. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of SCI patients had abnormal FF and 59% had abnormal EF. Significantly decreased FF and EF values were found in SCI patients, especially in female patients with severe and high-level injuries. CONCLUSION: Quantitative (99)Tc(m)-DISIDA cholescintigraphy showed that SCI can significantly impair gallbladder function.
BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with increased prevalence of gallstones and acute acalculous cholecystitis. A possible explanation for the increased prevalence of gallstones in SCI patients is decreased gallbladder motility causing gallbladder stasis. In this study, we investigated gallbladder function in patients with SCI. METHODS: Eighteen normal controls, 16 trauma controls and 46 SCI patients were included in this study. Gallbladder function was measured by technium 99m-labeled imino-diacetic acid analogue ((99)Tc(m)-DISIDA) hepatobiliary imaging and represented by filling fraction (FF) and ejection fraction (EF). The data from SCI patients were analyzed according to old versus young, female versus male, heavy versus light body weight, ASIA A & B versus ASIA C & D classification, high- versus low-level injury, and long versus short injury duration. RESULTS: Fifty-two percent of SCI patients had abnormal FF and 59% had abnormal EF. Significantly decreased FF and EF values were found in SCI patients, especially in female patients with severe and high-level injuries. CONCLUSION: Quantitative (99)Tc(m)-DISIDA cholescintigraphy showed that SCI can significantly impair gallbladder function.