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World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2010; 16(14): 1772-1775
Published online Apr 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i14.1772
Published online Apr 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i14.1772
Identification of cerebral response to balloon distention of the bile duct
Jin Kan Sai, Masafumi Suyama, Yoshihiro Kubokawa, Yuuji Matsumura, Koichi Inami, Sumio Watanabe, Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Eiji Kirino, Department of Psychiatry, Juntendo University, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan
Author contributions: Sai JK and Kirino E performed the majority of experiments; Suyama M, Kubokawa Y, Matsumura Y, Inami K and Watanabe S were involved in editing the manuscript; Sai JK designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Jin Kan Sai, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan. jinkans@juntendo.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-3-58021061 Fax: +81-3-56845960
Received: December 15, 2009
Revised: January 21, 2010
Accepted: January 28, 2010
Published online: April 14, 2010
Revised: January 21, 2010
Accepted: January 28, 2010
Published online: April 14, 2010
Abstract
AIM: To identify the brain loci that process human biliary sensation.
METHODS: In 6 patients (age range: 42-74 years; 4 men), who underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), the distal biliary tract was stimulated by repeatedly inflating the balloon of the PTBD catheter so that it reached volumes that produced a definite painless sensation. The functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the cortical response to biliary sensation was examined.
RESULTS: Biliary balloon stimulation elicited activation of the insular cortex, prefrontal cortex, and somatosensory cortex (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Biliary balloon stimulation evoked a cerebral cortical response detectable by fMRI.