Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, Vol 13, Issue 6 435-438, Copyright © 1994 by American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Gallbladder size: is it affected by the oral intake of water or dilute contrast medium?
R. Starinsky and Z. Alon
Department of Radiology, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel.
Examinations of the gallbladder are performed by ultrasonography while
patients are in a fasting state. In contrast, computed tomography of the
abdomen is carried out in fasting patients who were given 2% meglumine
diatrizoate (Urografin) solution to opacify the gut. Sonographic
examination was performed to establish whether the weight of fluids given
to patients had any effect on the volume of the gallbladder. Gallbladder
size was measured in subjects with a normal gallbladder. The gallbladder
also was measured in 117 people in the fasting state, and 10 and 30 minutes
later, it was measured again after an intake of 500 ml of water or a dilute
solution of contrast medium. Both groups showed evidence of gallbladder
contraction, but no significant statistical difference between them was
apparent. It appears, therefore, that the contrast medium solution given
before abdominal computed tomography may cause some gallbladder
contraction.
