A Study of Serial Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Following Morphine-neostigmine and Secretin Provocation in Healthy Volunteers
A Study of Serial Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Following Morphine-neostigmine and Secretin Provocation in Healthy Volunteers
The sphincter of Oddi is a circular band of muscle which controls the flow of pancreatic
 juices and bile into the small intestine. Abnormal function of the Sphincter of Oddi, known
 as Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), can lead to recurrent episodes of abdominal pain.
 Making a diagnosis of SOD is difficult and is currently achieved using an invasive pressure
 test. This pressure test is associated with some adverse effects including inflammation of
 the pancreas gland. We are investigating an alternative test in which medication is given to
 provoke spasm of the sphincter. Following provocation, blood can be sampled to detect changes
 in blood composition and changes in sphincter anatomy can be evaluated using specialized
 imaging techniques.

 Our aim is to study and compare the effects of two provocation medications
 (morphine-prostigmine and secretin) on biliary and pancreatic ductal anatomy, using dynamic
 serial MRCP in healthy volunteers.

 Our hypothesis is that morphine-neostigmine provocation results in greater changes in biliary
 and pancreatic ductal anatomy when assessed using dynamic serial MRCP.
The sphincter of Oddi (SO), which encases the distal common bile duct (CBD) and pancreatic
 duct (PD), comprises a fibromuscular complex to control the flow of biliary and pancreatic
 secretions into the duodenum. Aberrant function of the SO, known as Sphincter of Oddi
 dysfunction (SOD), can lead to recurrent episodes of biliary or pancreatic type pain. Both
 surgical sphincteroplasty and endoscopic sphincterotomy can improve symptoms in some patients
 who are suspected to have SOD. However, poor results are obtained in a significant proportion
 reflecting the difficulties in achieving an accurate diagnosis and also in selecting those
 patients likely to benefit from these procedures. A number of investigative modalities have
 been employed in the assessment of SOD. Of the available diagnostic tests sphincter of Oddi
 manometry (SOM) is considered the gold standard, but is associated with a high rate of post
 procedure morbidity including pancreatitis and biliary sepsis.

 It is therefore unsurprising that attention has focussed on non-invasive diagnostic tests.
 Developments in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) have allowed for the
 detailed non-invasive assessment of biliary and pancreatic ductal morphology and can be used
 in conjunction with intravenous secretin provocation (ss-MRCP). Evaluations of this technique
 have so far been disappointing, demonstrating only a modest concordance with SOM in patients
 suspected with SOD.

 The morphine-prostigmine provocation test (Nardi test) has previously been utilised as a
 screening test in patients with symptoms suggestive of SOD. It is performed by giving an
 intramuscular injection of morphine 10mg and prostigmine 1mg, with a positive test indicated
 by the reproduction of pain or a fourfold increase in either serum amylase or lipase levels.
 As enzymatic changes have been shown to occur in healthy subjects and in those with irritable
 bowel syndrome, the test has largely fallen out of favour. However, a recent publication has
 suggested morphine used as a pharmacological provocation agent can improve ductal distension
 and aid the differentiation of pancreaticobiliary variants on MRCP. To date this has not been
 investigated in a randomised or blinded study and we have therefore proposed to examine the
 effects of morphine-neostigmine and secretin provocation on gallbladder volume and biliary
 and pancreatic ductal morphology in healthy volunteers using serial MRCP.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Healthy age matched and sex matched volunteers

 -  No history of chronic abdominal pain

 -  No previous abdominal surgery

 -  No history suggestive of gastrointestinal motility disorders

 -  No history of regular medication or substance abuse

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Acute illness within preceding 6 weeks

 -  Participation in another study within 3 months

 -  Allergy to morphine or neostigmine

 -  Pregnancy

 -  Refusal to consent to the study