Comparative study of iocetamic acid and calcium ipodate in the visualisation of the gallbladder and common bile duct.

Iocetamic acid (Cholebrin) and calcium ipodate (Solubiloptin) were randomly allocated to two groups of 50 patients. Each patient completed a detailed questionnaire for side effects. There was no significant difference between the contrast media in their ability to opacify the gallbladder. Cholebrin was superior to Solubiloptin in opacifying the common bile duct in the presence of abnormal liver function, but there was no difference when liver function was normal. Palpitations were significantly higher with Solubiloptin (P = 0.01) but the incidences of other side effects showed no significant differences. Unabsorbed contrast residues were noted in similar frequency with both media. A high incidence of chronic cholecystitis was found in patients with non-opacified gallbladders and in those with gallstones.