The clinical significance of gallstones and their radiological investigation.

The symptoms of 122 patients with gallstones were correlated with the radiological findings. No specific indigestion was present which could be termed 'flatulent dyspepsia'. Sensitivity to fatty foods occurred in 69 per cent, heartburn in 42 per cent, regurgitation of of acidtasting or bitter fluid to the mouth in 31 per cent and increased passage of flatus from the stomach upwards in 38 per cent. If the gallbladder concentrated contrast medium or an oral cholecystogram but did not contract after a fatty meal, the patients suffered less heartburn than if the gall bladder functioned normally. However, since surgeons rarely perform a cholecystectomy for flatulent dyspepsia alone, knowlege of gallbladder function may be unnecessary.