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The cholecystokinin test: an assessment
The British Journal of Surgery
|April 1, 1975
Summary
The cholecystokinin (CCK) test may not reliably diagnose gallbladder pain, even with normal imaging. A negative CCK test does not rule out symptomatic gallstones in patients with X-ray negative gallbladder pain.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Gallbladder pain is a common issue.
- Cholecystography can be normal in patients with symptomatic gallstones.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the cholecystokinin (CCK) test in patients with X-ray negative gallbladder pain.
Main Methods:
- A cholecystokinin (CCK) test was administered to 13 female patients experiencing gallbladder pain with normal initial cholecystograms.
- In 10 patients, the CCK test was performed concurrently with a repeat cholecystogram to assess gallbladder contraction.
Main Results:
- No consistent correlation was found between a positive CCK test and radiographic gallbladder contraction.
- Cholecystectomy in 9 patients showed that pain relief occurred equally in CCK-positive and CCK-negative groups.
- Gallstones were absent in CCK-positive patients but present in 2 CCK-negative patients.
Conclusions:
- A negative cholecystokinin (CCK) test does not exclude symptomatic gallstones in patients with X-ray negative gallbladder pain.
- The CCK test's effectiveness in diagnosing gallbladder pain requires further investigation.