The value of the fatty meal in oral cholecystography.

In order to assess the value of the after fatty meal films, 232 oral cholecystograms were reviewed. Gallbladder opacification, duct visualisation, separation of gallbladder from overlying bowel gas shadows, and the demonstration of abnormalities were assessed from the pre-fatty meal films, and then again in conjunction with those taken after fat, when contraction was also assessed. Of the 200 examinations given the fatty meal, 132 were adjudged normal, 63 had gallstones, four had adenomyomatosis (one with stones), and two cholesterolosis. The post-fatty meal films, were found to be essential for the diagnosis of adenomyomatosis and cholesterolosis, and considered to be occasionally helpful in diagnosing small stones. They were of little value in assessing the biliary ducts, or separating the gallbladder from overlying bowel gas, and of no value in the diagnosis of functional biliary tract disorders.