A rational approach to the investigation of the gallbladder

A technique for the investigation of suspected non-acute gallbladder disease is described. It is based on properly conducted oral cholecystography (OCG) augmented, when necessary, by ultrasonic examination of the gallbladder (UCG) during the patient's same visit. This regimen has been applied successfully for 5 years; the results of a recent year's work are presented and discussed. Only 12.2% of patients required both investigations and, using the OCG technique described, in only 1.1% of cases was the gallbladder inadequately opacified when subsequent UCG was normal. This approach involves no increase in work-load and provides the referring clinician with objective evidence of the presence or absence of disease following a single visit by the patient to the X-ray department.