A comparative trial of two oral cholecystographic contrast media--iocetamic acid (Cholebrin) and iopanoic acid (Telepaque).

A comparative trial was made between two oral cholecystographic agents, iocetamic acid (Cholebrin) and iopanoic acid (Telepaque), Fifty patients were given Cholebrin and another 50 were given Telepaque by random allocation. The cholecystographic qualities of the two contrast media showed no significant difference. It was noted that contrast medium within the bowel at the time of the investigation tended to be homogeneous rather than granular with Cholebrin, and the significance of this is discussed. Gastrointestinal side-effects were common with both contrast media, but there was a significantly lower incidence of diarrhoea with Cholebrin than with Telepaque. Various biochemical parameters of hepatic and renal function were measrued in 40 random patients and showed no clinically significant alteration following ingestion of the contrast media.