A Study of Serial Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) Following Morphine-neostigmine and Secretin Provocation in Healthy Volunteers

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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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.

Detailed Description
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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.

Official Title
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A Randomised, Double Blind Cross-over Study of Serial MRCP Following Morphine-neostigmine and Secretin Provocation in Healthy Volunteers

Conditions
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Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: Morphine
* Drug: Neostigmine
* Drug: 0.9% saline
* Drug: Secretin
* Drug: 0.9% saline


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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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

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Morphine-neostigmine<br> | Drug: Morphine<br>* 10mg IM<br>Drug: Neostigmine<br>* 1mg IM<br>Drug: 0.9% saline<br>* 0.1 ml/kg<br>|
| Active Comparator: Secretin<br> | Drug: Secretin<br>* 1 unit/kg IV<br>Drug: 0.9% saline<br>* 1ml IM<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Serum amylase (U/L) |  | 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes | 
| Serum lipase (U/L) |  | 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes | 
| Liver function tests |  | 0, 60, 120, 180 and 240 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pancreatic duct diameter (mm) |  | 0, 5, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes | 
| Pancreatic duct length (mm) |  | 0, 5, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes | 
| Common bile duct diameter (mm) |  | 0, 5, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes | 
| Gallbladder volume (mm3) |  | 0, 5, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Bile ducts, Sphincter of Oddi, Pancreatic ducts