Role of Cholecystectomy in Symptomatic Hyperkinetic Gallbladder Patients

Biliary dyskinesia is defined by a gallbladder ejection fraction (EF) of less than 35% on HIDA scan, and these patients have shown a good response to cholecystectomy. Management of patients with biliary colic symptoms who have a hyperkinetic gallbladder (EF > 80%) is not clearly defined. Herein, I report three cases of the symptomatic hyperkinetic gallbladder that were successfully managed with cholecystectomy. Case Report. Patient 1was a 56-year-old female presented with pain in the right upper abdomen for one month. Her workup was unremarkable except for the gallbladder EF of 86%. Patient 2 was a 33-year-old female with similar symptoms and workup with gallbladder EF of 97%. Patient 3 was a 20-year-old female with right upper abdominal pain and gallbladder EF of 91%. Patients 1 and 3 had the normal US, normal CT scan, and normal EGD. Patient 2 had normal US and CT but did not undergo EGD. All three patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and had complete resolution of their symptoms.

The hyperkinetic gallbladder is a rare phenomenon, which can cause debilitating right upper quadrant pain. All three patients had an excellent response to cholecystectomy. Therefore, it is concluded that the patients with biliary colic and gallbladder EF of 80% or higher should be strongly considered for surgery.