HEPATODUODENAL BILE TRANSIT IN CHOLECYSTECTOMIZED SUBJECTS - RELATIONSHIP WITH SPHINCTER OF ODDI FUNCTION AND DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE

The hepatic hilum-duodenum transit time (HHDT) was evaluated in cholec ystectomized subjects to assess its relationship with the motor functi on of the sphincter of Oddi (SO) and its diagnostic accuracy in the de tection of SO dysfunction. The study was performed in asymptomatic con trols and symptomatic patients with SO dysfunction before and after sp hincterotomy. HHDT showed a direct correlation with manometric SO maxi mal basal pressure (r = 0.77; P < 0.001) but not with SO phasic activi ty. In sphincterotomized subjects HHDT did not differ from that of the asymptomatic subjects, and HHDT, which was prolonged before sphincter otomy, normalized after sphincterotomy. HHDT had a 100% specificity an d an 83% sensitivity in diagnosing SO dysfunction when compared to SO manometry. In conclusion, the cholescintigraphic HHDT is mainly relate d to the SO maximal basal pressure, presenting an elevated specificity and a satisfactory sensitivity in the diagnosis of SO dysfunction in cholecystectomized subjects.