BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was an estimation of the relation between the gallbladder (GB) motility function and the presence and quantity of enterogastric reflux (EGR).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We investigated 172 patients: 90 with physiological GB function (filling and emptying) (FGB), 21 with impaired GB function (prolonged filling and ejection fraction < 45%) and 61 with afunctional gallbladder (AGB) (without visualisation).
The study was performed during 90 min (1 f/min) after i.v. application of 185 MBq 99m Tc-dietil IDA. After 30 min, a test meal was given while at the end the stomach was marked. According to the parameters from time activity curves over the stomach and hepatobiliary system, the index of EGR was calculated, while GB filling and ejection fraction were estimated from the GB time/activity curve.
RESULTS: Most frequently, EGR occurs in AGB (47.5%), followed by IGB (43%) and FGB (41%), without significant differences (p > 0.05). The significantly (p < 0.05) highest value of EGR was obtained in the patients with AGB in comparison to IGB and FGB. EGR values were in correlation (r = 0.168, p < 0.05) with the functional status of the GB. In the patients with pathological values of EGR (> 10%), significantly higher values (p < 0.05) are obtained in AGB than in IGB and FGB. Also, these values were in correlation with the functional status of the GB (r = 0.284, p < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that EGR occurs more frequently in the patients with afunctional GB in comparison with those with functional and decreased motor function. Also, EGR quantity is in correlation with the impairment of the GB function.