scholarly journals Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Biliary Tract: The Gallbladder and Sphincter of Oddi—A Review

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose Behar

The biliary tract collects, stores, concentrates, and delivers bile secreted by the liver. Its motility is controlled by neurohormonal mechanisms with the vagus and splanchnic nerves and the hormone cholecystokinin playing key roles. These neurohormonal mechanisms integrate the motility of the gallbladder and sphincter of Oddi (SO) with the gastrointestinal tract in the fasting and digestive phases. During fasting most of the hepatic bile is diverted toward the gallbladder by the resistance of the SO. The gallbladder allows the gradual entry of bile relaxing by passive and active mechanisms. During the digestive phase the gallbladder contracts, and the SO relaxes allowing bile to be released into the duodenum for the digestion and absorption of fats. Pathological processes manifested by recurrent episodes of upper abdominal pain affect both the gallbladder and SO. The gallbladder motility and cytoprotective functions are impaired by lithogenic hepatic bile with excess cholesterol allowing the hydrophobic bile salts to induce chronic cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment. Three types of SO dyskinesia also cause biliary pain. Their pathophysiology is not completely known. The pain of types I and II usually respond to sphincterotomy, but the pain due to type III usually does not.

2013 ◽  
Vol 154 (8) ◽  
pp. 306-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Szepes ◽  
Zsolt Dubravcsik ◽  
László Madácsy

Introduction: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction usually occurs after cholecystectomy, but it can sometimes be detected in patients with intact gallbladder too. The diagnostic value of the non-invasive functional tests is not established in this group of patients and the effects of sphincterotomy on transpapillary bile outflow and gallbladder motility are unknown. Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy on the gallbladder ejection fraction, transpapillary bile outflow and the clinical symptoms of patients with acalculous biliary pain syndrome. Patients and methods: 36 patients with acalculous biliary pain syndrome underwent quantitative hepatobiliary scintigraphy, and all of them had decreased cholecytokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction. The endoscopic manometry of the sphincter of Oddi showed abnormal sphincter function in 26 patients who were enrolled the study. Before and after endoscopic sphincterotomy all patients had ultrasonographic measurement of cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction with and without nitroglycerin pretreatment and scintigraphy was repeated as well. The effects of sphincterotomy on gallbladder ejection fraction and transpapillary biliary outflow were evaluated. In addition, changes in biliary pain score with a previously validated questionnaire were also determined. Results: All 26 patients had decreased gallbladder ejection fraction before sphincterotomy measured with scintigraphy (19+18%) and ultrasound (16+9.7%), which was improved after nitroglycerin pretreatment (48.2+17%; p<0.005). Detected with both methods, the ejection fraction was in the normal range after sphincterotomy (52+37% and 40.8+16.5%), but nitroglycerin pretreatment failed to produce further improvement (48.67+22.2%, NS). Based on scintigraphic examination sphincterotomy significantly improved transpapillary biliary outflow (common bile duct half time 63±33 min vs. 37±17 min; p<0.05). According to results obtained from questionneries, 22 of the 26 patients gave an account of significant symptom improvement after sphincterotomy. Conclusions: Endoscopic sphincterotomy improves cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction, transpapillary biliary outflow as well as biliary symptoms in patients with acalculous biliary pain syndrome and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. Cholecystokinin-induced gallbladder ejection fraction with nitroglycerin pretreatment, measured with ultrasonography can be useful to select a subgroup of patients who can benefit from sphincterotomy. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 306–313.


2019 ◽  
pp. 117-125
Author(s):  
V. T. Ivashkin ◽  
Ch. S. Pavlov ◽  
I. R. Popova ◽  
Yu. O. Shulpekova

Introduction. The term «functional disorders of the biliary tract and bile ducts» defines the conditions, which produce typical patterns of biliary pains in the absence of obvious signs of organic lesions of the gallbladder and bile ducts. The materials of the Rome IV consensus present the diagnostic criteria of their main types – functional disorders of the gall bladder and sphincter of Oddi. Vasilenko Clinic of Internal Diseases Propedeutics, Gastroenterology and Hepatology of the University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of Sechenov University carried out a noninterventional observational program to study the experience in using Trimedat® (trimebutine maleate) in the routine outpatient and inpatient practice in the treatment of patients with functional diseases of the biliary tract. Information partners of the program are the Russian Gastroenterological Association (RGA) and the Russian Society for the Study of the Liver (RSSL).Materials and methods. The program included patients of both sexes aged 18 to 65 years with ICD-10 diagnoses «spasm of the sphincter of Oddi» (K 83.4), «postcholecystectomy syndrome» (K 91.5), «other specified diseases of the gallbladder» (K 82.8) , «other specified diseases of the bile ducts» (K 83.8), «disorders of gallbladder and biliary tract in diseases classified elsewhere» (K 87.0), if the clinical picture was consistent with functional biliary disorders according to the Rome IV criteria and in cases when the doctor decided to prescribe Trimedat® therapy. Patients were observed for 28 ± 1 days. The dynamics of biliary pain and discomfort, as well as other symptoms (in particular, nausea, flatulence) were evaluated on the background of the therapy, using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Score Scale, in which the severity of each symptom is estimated by 7 grades (Alekseev N.Yu., 2006) with adding a section to evaluate the biliary disorders. In the presence of criteria for functional disorders of the gallbladder, an ultrasound control of the fraction of its discharge was carried out before and after the therapy.Results. 100 patients (33 (33%) men and 67 (67%) women, the average age 42.2 ± 13.2 years (18–65 years)) were enrolled in the program. In accordance with the Rome IV Consensus, the majority of patients (83 (83%)) had the functional disorders of GB; in 16 (16%) patients with the removed GB, the picture corresponded to the functional disorder of SO, one patient with kept GB was diagnosed with SO dysfunction. The treatment with Trimedate® at a standard dosage resulted in a decrease in the proportion of pain in the epigastric region (in the Scale section evaluating the biliary tract symptoms), the degree of nausea and bloating. Differences between the visits were estimated by the Friedman’s test, p <0.001. In addition, other sections of the scale also showed a decrease in indicators in scores. 79 patients underwent repeated ultrasound cholecystography at the end of treatment. It showed an increase in the fraction of GB emptying.Conclusions. The use of Trimedate® in patients with functional disorders of the gall bladder and sphincter of Oddi resulted in the reduction of the severity of the main symptoms - the severity of biliary pain, nausea, bloating. The patients with GB dysfunction showed an increase in the fraction of GB emptying.


2021 ◽  
pp. 122-134
Author(s):  
I. V. Maev ◽  
D. S. Bordin ◽  
T. A. Ilchishina ◽  
Yu. A. Kucheryavyy

In  the  structure of  gastrointestinal diseases, the  pathology of  the  hepatobiliary system currently ranks second in  frequency of occurrence. The stages of diseases of the biliary system can be combined into the so-called “biliary continuum”, when one patient has a consistent development of pathogenetically related diseases of the biliary tract. The progressive course of functional motility disorders of the biliary tract gradually leads to the development of organic pathology, including chronic cholecystitis, the subsequent development of gallstone disease and possible postcholecystectomy complications. Among the diseases of the biliary system, one of the most frequently used diagnoses is chronic cholecystitis. The development of chronic cholecystitis is associated with repeated attacks of acute inflammation or prolonged irritation of large gallstones. The clinical aspects of chronic cholecystitis and other pathologies included in the the «biliary continuum» largely depends on concomitant dyskinesia. There are several directions for the treatment of pathologies of the biliary system: diet therapy, medication, endoscopic and surgical treatment. According to the latest guidelines, the most important direction in modern therapy of diseases of the biliary system is the restoration of the motility of the biliary tract and the normalization of the physicochemical properties of bile. The central place in the treatment of diseases of the “biliary continuum” is given to antispasmodic drugs. The administration of antispasmodics is recommended in order to relieve biliary pain and dyspeptic symptoms caused by spasm of smooth muscles, as well as to control the inflammatory process due to a decrease in the release of pro-inflammatory substances. This article describes in detail the importance of the recovery of the biliary tract motor activity and the improvement of the physico-chemical properties of bile acids.


1984 ◽  
Vol 246 (4) ◽  
pp. G426-G432 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. J. Traynor ◽  
R. R. Dozois ◽  
E. P. DiMagno

The objectives of this study were to characterize intraluminal gallbladder pressure during fasting and postprandially and to determine the relationships between its intraluminal pressure and emptying. Conscious dogs, with chronic indwelling gallbladder and duodenal catheters to measure pressures and infuse nonabsorbable markers, were used to quantify intraluminal pressures and emptying of gallbladder contents and bile into the duodenum during interdigestive and postprandial periods. During the interdigestive period, a brief rise in intragallbladder pressure followed by the flow of bile and 20% of gallbladder marker into the duodenum occurred only during phase II (a period of irregular duodenal contractility preceded by absent duodenal activity, phase I, and followed by a period of regular duodenal contractility, phase III). We suggest that intragallbladder pressure increased secondary to contraction of the gallbladder against a closed sphincter of Oddi and its decline to base line was accompanied by sphincter relaxation, partial gallbladder emptying, and flow of bile into the duodenum. Postprandially, intragallbladder pressure transiently increased and was followed by an isotonic phase lasting 74 +/- 12 min that ended with the onset of rhythmic large-amplitude pressure elevations that continued for 5.1 +/- 1.6 h. Gallbladder emptying was most rapid during the first 30 min postprandially and was completed by 2 h. Thereafter, large-amplitude gallbladder pressure elevations may prevent gallbladder filling and divert hepatic bile into the duodenum until return of the fasting pattern.


1990 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Y. Sung ◽  
M. E. Olson ◽  
J. W. C. Leung ◽  
M. S. Lundberg ◽  
J. W. Costerton

1997 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 174-179
Author(s):  
G VANBERGEHENEGOUWEN ◽  
M SAMSON ◽  
A SMOUT

2001 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. A226
Author(s):  
Nancy A.M. Van Ooteghem ◽  
Melvin Samsom ◽  
Karel J. Van Erpecum ◽  
Louis M.A. Akkermans ◽  
Gerard P. Van berge-Henegouwen

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 42-52
Author(s):  
Yu.O. Shulpekova ◽  
◽  
V.M. Nechaev ◽  
V.T. Ivashkin ◽  
◽  
...  

Acute or recurrent pain in the right upper part of the abdomen is a common cause for visits to physicians. Not less than two thirds of episodes of pain in this area are conditioned by biliary colic and acute cholecystitis. Other most common causes include diseases of the liver, pancreas, prepyloric and pyloric parts of the stomach and the beginning portion of the small intestine, the right kidney, and also subhepatic appendicitis. Some cases of developing pain are associated with the right lung affection and involvement of the diaphragmatic pleura, with heart diseases, involvement of the locomotor system and nerves. Taking into account a high prevalence of cholelithiasis in Russia – around 10–12% – we can conclude that episodes of biliary colic develop every year in 1 of 500–1000 individuals. In Russia, approximately half a million cholecystectomies are performed annually. The prevalence of gall stones among the paediatric population amounts to 2%. As distinct from adults, who in 80% of cases have an asymptomatic course of disease, pain episodes in children manifest themselves in 60–67% of cases. The diiagnosis of acute cholecystitis might meet with considerable difficulties; a scale for assessment of the likelihood of acute cholecystitis has been developed. Unlike in adults, in children a significantly large proportion of cases occur due to acalculous cholecystitis. Differentiating the causes of pain might be difficult, therefore, its character and concomitant symptoms should be thoroughly analysed, and the findings of additional examinations should also be taken into consideration (at the first step – assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters, urinalysis, electrocardiogram and abdominal ultrasonography). Key words: right upper abdominal pain, biliary colic, biliary dyskinesia, cholelithiasis


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis F. Lobon ◽  
Michael Billington

Patients with diseases of the biliary tract (which includes the hepatic bili canaliculi, hepatic bile ducts, common bile duct, and gallbladder) typically present with symptoms that include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. This review covers the pathophysiology, assessment and stabilization, diagnosis and treatment, and disposition and outcomes for common biliary tract emergencies (cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, and ascending cholangitis).  This review contains 5 figures, 11 tables, and 34 references. Keywords: Cholelithiasis, gallbladder disease, acute cholecystitis, gallstones, choledocholithiasis, ascending cholangitis


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Gray

Understanding gallbladder and biliary anatomy is paramount to the surgeon. A comprehensive understanding of the gallbladder and biliary tree is necessary to properly treat a variety of surgical pathologies. Understanding the usual anatomy and the variations will help prevent iatrogenic biliary injuries. Moreover, anatomic consideration dictates oncologic therapies for gallbladder and biliary tract malignancies.  Key words: bile duct, bile salts, biliary tree, cholecystectomy, gallbladder


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