The reliability of cholecystography with calcium ipodate augmentation

Sixty-one patients who underwent augmentation cholecystography with calcium ipodate (Oragrafin calcium granules) were reviewed. Sixty-four per cent (39/61) of nonvisualizing or poorly visualizing cholecystograms were converted to well-visualizing studies, of which 26 per cent (10/39) involved cholethiasis. In 55 per cent of the cholecystograms (12/22) that remained nonvisualizing or poorly visualizing, patients were found to have gallstones. The remaining cases of poor or nonvisualizing cholecytograms were associated with abnormal liver function, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis. If the gallbladder is nonvisualized with a calcium ipodate augmentation technique it is reliable evidence of gallbladder disease, and is likely cholelithiasis when extrinsic factors affecting contrast absorption or liver function are excluded.