Gallbladder motility in inflammatory bowel diseases

Abstract

In patients with Crohn's disease, the prevalence of gallstones is increased, especially in patients with ileal disease or after ileal resection. Recent studies point to alterations in enterohepatic bilirubin cycling, resulting in increased biliary bilirubin levels leading to pigment rather than cholesterol gallstones. Gallbladder (hypo)motility is another important factor in the pathogenesis of gallstones leading to bile stasis, crystallisation and stone formation. Postprandial gallbladder emptying is not markedly reduced in patients with Crohn's disease but lower fasting gallbladder volumes have been observed in patients with colonic disease or after ileocaecal resection. Prolonged and repeated bowel rest before and after intestinal surgery has been recognised as a significant risk factor for gallstone formation in patients with Crohn's disease.