Is There an Association Between Gallbladder Dyskinesia and Idiopathic Acute Pancreatitis?

Objectives: The etiology of acute pancreatitis remains unclear in a significant number of patients. This study aimed to assess gallbladder dysfunction diagnosed using hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan in patients recovering from idiopathic acute pancreatitis. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 22 consecutive patients with clinical and laboratory evidence of idiopathic acute pancreatitis. A HIDA scan was performed 8-10 weeks after the episode of pancreatitis. Results: Of the 22 patients, 14 (63.6%) were males. Their ages ranged from 18 to 79 years (mean, 47.5 ± 19.5). The co-morbid conditions observed were hypertension in eight patients, followed by diabetes in seven, ischemic heart disease in five, and miscellaneous in five. The HIDA scan revealed a gallbladder ejection fraction of less than 35% in seven (31.8%), suggesting a gallbladder dysfunction. Non-visualization of the gallbladder was observed in two patients. Biliary to the bowel transit time (BBTT) was 25.8 ± 8.7 minutes, and visualization of the gallbladder (n=20) was seen in 13.6 ± 11.4 minutes. Conclusions: Some patients with idiopathic acute pancreatitis have gallbladder dysfunction as evidenced by a decreased gallbladder ejection fraction or lack of visualization on the HIDA scan. Gallbladder dyskinesia should be checked in these patients to plan further management including cholecystectomy.