A comparative trial of three oral cholecystographic contrast media--iocetamic acid, iopanoic acid and sodium ipodate.

Abstract

Three hundred consecutive patients referred for oral cholecystography were randomly allocated to one of three groups: iocetamic acid (Cholebrin) (95), iopanoic acid (Telepaque) (101) and sodium ipodate (Biloptin) (104). Following routine preparation for the study, a control film was taken. Where bowel preparation was adequate, each patient was given a numbered packet containing 3 g of contrast medium which was taken on the evening before the formal oral cholecystogram. At the beginning of the study—normally 14 hours following ingestion of the contrast material—the supervising radiologist checked the patient's weight and confirmed that both the aperient and the oral cholecystographic agent had been taken. Contrast related symptoms were assessed using a standard questionnaire and, following this, a routine series of coned films of the gall bladder area were obtained. These included a prone oblique, a supine oblique and an erect film, as well as a repeat prone oblique view 30–40 minutes after a fatty meal. T...