Gallbladder disease in cystic fibrosis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Radiology
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple organs, including the gallbladder.
• Abdominal pain is a common symptom in CF patients, often necessitating diagnostic imaging.
• Gallbladder dysfunction is a known complication of cystic fibrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of gallbladder abnormalities in cystic fibrosis patients using oral cholecystography.
• To assess the correlation between patient age and the likelihood of abnormal cholecystograms.
• To evaluate the utility of intravenous cholangiography in non-visualized gallbladders and identify calculi.

Main Methods:

• Oral cholecystography was performed on 84 consecutive cystic fibrosis patients.
• Patients with non-visualized gallbladders underwent double-dosage oral cholecystography, followed by intravenous cholangiography if needed.
• Radiographic findings, including visualization, abnormalities, and presence of calculi, were recorded.

Main Results:

• 39 out of 84 (46.4%) cystic fibrosis patients had abnormal oral cholecystograms.
• Abnormalities were more common in older patients.
• Intravenous cholangiography revealed abnormalities in 70.3% of patients with non-visualized gallbladders, and 11.9% of all patients had gallstones.

Conclusions:

• Oral cholecystography reveals a high rate of gallbladder abnormalities in cystic fibrosis patients.
• Gallbladder abnormalities and calculi are prevalent in CF, warranting consideration during diagnostic workups for abdominal pain.
• Radiographic evaluation of the gallbladder is crucial for managing cystic fibrosis patients with gastrointestinal symptoms.