Concentration of 99mTc-HIDA and iopanoic glucuronide by the gallbladder

To determine the ability of the gallbladder to concentrate Technetium 99mHIDA, both HIDA and iopanoic glucuronide were introduced directly into ligated gallbladders of anesthetized dogs. Serial bile samples were drawn to measure the concentration of each agent over a three hour period. Both biliary imaging agents were concentrated by the normal gallbladder. The results suggest that 99mTc-HIDA may be useful to study the gallbladder mucosal function of concentrating capacity in patients at risk for kidney damage by the standard cholecystographic agents like iopanoic acid.