Gallbladder opacification in infants following high dose angiocardiography

Seven infants in congestive heart failure underwent high dose angiocardiography for diagnosis of severe congenital heart disease and subsequently displayed delayed opacification of the gallbladder. Biliary excretion of sufficient volume to opacify the gallbladder occurred despite structurally normal kidneys and no evidence of renal failure. Decreased renal clearance of contrast due to generalized diminution of glomerular filtration is postulated. The high doses of contrast and slow renal clearance allowed a relatively increased rate of hepatobiliary excretion and subsequent observation of the opacified gallbladder on abdominal radiographs. This phenomenon may not be as uncommon as is generally thought but its timing and location often do not allow an opportunity to make this observation.