Gallbladder contraction in familial dysautonomia.

The impaired function of the autonomic nervous system in patients with familial dysautonomia (FD) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction. This study sought to determine whether gallbladder contraction is also affected in these patients. Nine consecutive patients with FD were assessed by real-time ultrasonography for gallbladder volume and calculated percentage of gallbladder contraction before and 45-60 min after a 50 g fatty meal, and compared with nine healthy control patients, matched for age and gender. Gallbladder volume before the fatty meal was found to be larger in healthy controls than in FD patients (25.4+/-9.5 and 15.4+/-7.4 ml3, respectively; p = 0.024). No significant difference was demonstrated between the groups after the fatty meal (controls: 12.1+/-6.0; FD: 9.0+/-6.6 ml, respectively) and the calculated percentage of gallbladder contraction was similar in both groups (controls: 53.4+/-16.6; FD: 44.8+/-18.8%). These results indicate that gallbladder function in FD patients does not differ from the general population and preventive measures for gallstone formation are not required.