ULTRASOUND-GUIDED CHOLECYSTOCENTESIS IN THE OWL MONKEY

Bile samples were obtained from adult owl monkeys by ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystocentesis, using a transhepatic approach. Sampl ing frequency was once weekly over a B-week period. Clinical recovery from each procedure was rapid. Animal body weights fluctuated within 2 2% of baseline over the study period, but maximal weight loss in any a nimal was less than 3% at the study's end. At necropsy, gross lesions in the liver and gallbladder were minimal. Histologic examination reve aled mild focal cholecystitis in the gallbladder of four of six animal s, focal pericholecystitis in three of six animals, and foci of gallbl adder fibrosis in two animals. Changes were consistent with repeated t rauma from the centesis procedure. Gallbladder mucosa was judged norma l in all animals. Body weight fluctuations were attributed to a change in diet, part of a concurrent study, rather than to the centesis proc edure. Ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis provides a rapid, minimall y traumatic, and safe method for repeated bile sampling in a small non human primate.