Cholecystokinin cholescintigraphy: Methodology and normal values using a lactose-free fatty-meal food supplement

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the use of a commercially available lactose-free fatty-meal food supplement, as an alternative to sincalide cholescintigraphy, to develop a standard methodology, and to determine normal gallbladder ejection fractions (GBEFs) for this supplement. Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers all had negative medical histories for hepatobiliary and gallbladder disease, had no personal or family history of hepatobiliary disease, and were not taking any medication known to affect gallbladder emptying. All were prescreened with a complete blood cell count, comprehensive metabolic profile, gallbladder and liver ultrasonography, and conventional cholescintigraphy. Three of the 20 subjects were eliminated from the final analysis because of an abnormality in one of the above studies. Results: After gallbladder filling on conventional cholescintigraphy, the subjects ingested the supplement and an additional 60-min study was acquired. GBEFs were calculated and ranged from 33% to 95% (mean ± SD, 62.6% ± 21.3%). Statistical analysis determined the lower range of normal to be 32.6%. Maximal gallbladder emptying occurred between 55 and 60 min. Conclusion: A standard methodology and normal GBEFs (≥33%) were established for supplement-stimulated cholescintigraphy.