Gallbladder motility in healthy volunteers:: Effects of age, gender, body mass index, and hair color

Background/Aims: Ultrasonographic determination of gallbladder motility is sparsely performed in clinical practice as the examination is considered to be time consuming and there is uncertainty about a number of parameters possibly influencing the results. The aims of this study were a) to establish normal values for a simple ultrasonographic test and b) to evaluate the influence of different parameters, on gallbladder motility. Methodology: In 62 systematically age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers, ultrasonographic measurements of gallbladder volume (ellipsoid method, planimetry and sum-of-cylinders; method) were performed,fasting and 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 and up to 75 min after stimulation with a standardized high-caloric, liquid meal. Results: Using the ellipsoid method, gallbladder fasting volume (V0) reached a mean value (+/- SD) of 24.6+/-10.0mL, with an ejection fraction of 65.9+/-19.1%. Age, gender and hair color did not influence parameters of gallbladder contraction. Body mass index showed a weak correlation with V0 but not correlation between the ellipsoid method and longitudinal planimetry and the sum-of-cylinders method, respectively. Conclusions: Ultrasonographic measurement of gallbladder motility in healthy volunteers shows a very wide scattering of normal values. In the interpretation of gallbladder emptying, age, gender and body mass-index do not have to be considered. Determination of gallbladder motility may be performed by a rather simple approach with oral stimulation and ellipsoid method or longitudinal planimetry as easily applicable ultrasonographic measurements.