The 1-g14C-D-Xylose Breath Test in Gallstone Patients with and without Duodenal Diverticula

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Abstract
To assess whether gallstone patients with duodenal diverticula have bacterial overgrowth in the proximal small bowel, the results of the 1-g 14C-D-xylose breath test were compared in 24 patients with duodenal diverticula and in 24 without diverticula. All patients had been treated with endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) for stones in the common bile duct before the study, and cholecystectomy had previously been performed in 20 patients. No significant differences between the groups were found concerning age, sex, and body weight. Cumulative 14CO2 expired in 3 h in percentage of administered dose of 14C-D-xylose was 8.55% (7.58-9.57%) and 7.38% (6.32-8.96%) in patients with and without diverticula, respectively (p = 0.06), indicating a higher bacterial activity in the small bowel in patients with duodenal diverticula than in those without diverticula. The results appeared to be influenced by cholecystectomy.