What Is Biliary Dyskinesia?
The gallbladder is a small organ that is located in the abdomen underneath the liver. The liver creates bile. This substance helps the body digest food. The gallbladder stores the bile that the liver creates.
Biliary dyskinesia is a symptom of one of the following conditions:
- Functional gallbladder disorder — a problem with the gallbladder’s motility, or movement.
- Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction — a problem with the motility of the small muscle (sphincter), which opens to allow bile to empty into the small intestine.
Biliary dyskinesia is becoming an increasingly common health condition. Biliary dyskinesia and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction can lead to pancreatitis over time.
Biliary Dyskinesia Causes
In most cases, the cause of biliary dyskinesia is unknown. Having a motility disorder of the intestines can contribute to developing biliary dyskinesia. It can sometimes run in families, but a person can develop biliary dyskinesia with no family history.
Biliary Dyskinesia Symptoms
Symptoms related to this condition may include:
- Bloating
- Chronic (long-term) acid reflux
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Trouble digesting foods, especially fatty foods
- Unintentional weight loss or weight gain
- Upper abdominal pain that comes and goes over time
- Vomiting
Biliary Dyskinesia Diagnosis
To diagnose functional gallbladder disorder or sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, your child’s doctor will complete a comprehensive physical exam. They will ask questions about your child’s symptoms and health history. The doctor also may order imaging tests such as a CT scan or ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis.
Biliary Dyskinesia Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no effective treatment for biliary dyskinesia at this time that does not involve surgery. In most cases, treatment involves surgery to remove the gallbladder. This procedure is called a cholecystectomy. If your child has sphincter of Oddi dysfunction that continues to cause problems after the cholecystectomy, their doctor may recommend a procedure to open the sphincter.
Biliary Dyskinesia Prognosis
Many people find relief from surgery. If your child has a cholecystectomy, they may need to avoid fried and fatty foods for a time. This allows their body to adjust to not having a gallbladder. Over time, they can resume a normal diet.
