[Glucagon as an adjuvant to infusion cholecysto-cholangiography]

The effect of glucagon on the results of intravenous cholangio-cholecystography (IVC) was studied in a randomised trial on 246 patients. The injection of 1 mg. glucagon increased the speed of contrast excretion from the liver. This led to a significantly quicker demonstration of the gallbladder, with a tendency to more rapid filling of the biliary ducts. In patients with hyperbilirubinaemia there were somewhat fewer negative cholangiograms and significantly fewer negative cholecystograms. Considering the patients as a whole, the use of glucagon has the advantage of reducing the time taken for the examination and of a reduction of negative IVCs. Since glucagon has practically no side effects, our experience suggests that it can be recommended as an adjuvant to IVC. Improvements in IVCs are particularly significant since they are now only used for special indications.