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[Hepatic functional evaluation using the galactose tolerance test in patients with obstructive jaundice]
T Kaiho1, M Miyazaki, I Udagawa
1Department of Surgery, Chiba University School of Medicine.
Summary
The galactose tolerance test (GaTT) measures liver function in obstructive jaundice. A better GaTT result before biliary drainage predicts a more successful outcome.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Biochemistry
- Medical Diagnostics
Context:
- Obstructive jaundice impairs liver function, necessitating accurate assessment of hepatic functional mass.
- Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is a common intervention for obstructive jaundice.
- Evaluating hepatocyte cytosolic function is crucial for predicting treatment response.
Purpose:
- To assess the utility of the galactose tolerance test (GaTT) in evaluating hepatic functional mass in patients with obstructive jaundice.
- To determine if GaTT-T/2 values before PTBD can predict the efficacy of the drainage procedure.
Summary:
- The galactose tolerance test (GaTT), reflecting hepatocyte cytosolic function, showed prolonged T-1/2 values in obstructive jaundice patients compared to controls.
- Patients were categorized into two groups based on pre-PTBD GaTT-T/2 values (good vs. poor).
- A better pre-PTBD GaTT-T/2 value (Group A) correlated with a significantly higher rate of serum bilirubin level decrease after PTBD compared to Group B.
Impact:
- The GaTT-T/2 value before PTBD serves as a predictive index for the effectiveness of PTBD in obstructive jaundice.
- This finding aids in patient stratification and management planning for obstructive jaundice.
- Highlights the importance of assessing hepatic cytosolic function for treatment outcome prediction.