A cholecystogram is a medical imaging study of the gallbladder to identify stones. The test requires preparation, contrast medium, and a high-fat drink or food to trigger the release of bile. The procedure is low-risk, but some patients may have iodine allergies. An alternative to the gallbladder is ultrasound.
A cholecystogram is a medical imaging study of the gallbladder that a doctor may order to identify stones. The stones can interfere with the function of the gallbladder and can cause medical complications for the patient. A doctor may order this test if they believe a patient has stones and want to determine how serious they are and what type of treatment would be most appropriate. The test requires some preparation and patients must follow the instructions carefully.
In a gallbladder analysis, a contrast agent will highlight any stones present in the gallbladder. The patient usually needs to eat a low-fat diet the day before the test to concentrate the bile in the gallbladder. He may be given a few contrast medium tablets to take the night before the test. At other facilities, a doctor will inject the contrast agent intravenously on the day of the test and give it some time to circulate and build up in the gallbladder.
The patient consumes a high-fat drink or food to trigger the release of bile while a radiologist examines the gallbladder under fluoroscopy. The radiographic images will show the movement of the bile and any stones, made more visible with the use of contrast medium. A gallbladder can capture stones of various sizes and identify them accurately in over 90% of cases. With the result of the test, the doctor can determine if the patient needs surgery or other treatments.
The gallbladder procedure is relatively low-risk. Some patients have iodine allergies and may not be able to take contrast medium. X-ray radiation also poses a potential but relatively low risk. Unless a patient has many x-rays for other reasons, or receives adequate shielding in the radiology suite, the risks should be much less than the benefits of the test. Some patients may find pre-test dietary recommendations difficult, but they are only for one day and a doctor or nutritionist may have some meal recommendations to help the patient prepare.
An alternative to the gallbladder is ultrasound of the gallbladder. The advantage of this procedure is that the doctor does not have to wait. The patient does not need to eat low-fat foods for a day and to take contrast medium before an ultrasound, so a doctor can perform an immediate evaluation on a patient with a suspected case of gallstones. This procedure may be preferable for patients who cannot take iodine or who would be at risk from X-rays, such as pregnant women.
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