[Improvement of oral cholecystography and cholangiography with ceruletid (author's transl)]

Following oral cholecystography in 100 patients, the conventional "fatty meal" was replaced by an intramuscular injection of Ceruletid in a dose of 0.4 microgram/kg body weight. The synthetic decapetide Ceruletid is a substance with a hormone-like effect on the gastro-intestinal tract. It contracts smooth muscle in the gut and stimulates secretion in the stomach and the exocrine pancreas. Compared with other substances producing contraction which are given orally, Ceruletid acts more quickly and more powerfully in producing contraction of the gall bladder muscle. In 86% of positive cholecystograms, this resulted in satisfactory demonstration of the bile duct, 66% better than for oral substances. Many abnormalities, particularly localised adenomyomatosis, can only be diagnosed after good contraction of the gall bladder. Side effects, such as nausea, dizziness and a feeling of heat were transitory. In three patients it led to vomiting. The rapid and certain effect of Ceruletid during oral cholecystography requires reassessment of the role of intravenous cholangiography in diagnosis. Particularly amongst out-patients, with a high proportion of normal gall bladders, it is possible to complete the examination in one stage by demonstrating the bile duct with Ceruletid.