In this Article

• What is an oral cholecystogram?
• How is an oral cholecystogram done?
• What are the risks of an oral cholecystogramv?
• When is an oral cholecystogram useful?
• Oral Cholecystogram Index

When is an oral cholecystogram useful?

The OCG is an excellent procedure for diagnosing gallstones. It finds gallstones 95% of the time. However, the OCG has tended to be replaced by ultrasonography because ultrasonography is slightly better at diagnosing gallstones and can be done immediately without waiting one or two days for the OCG's iodine to be absorbed, excreted, and concentrated. The OCG also cannot give information about the presence of non-gallstone related diseases, which ultrasonography is sometimes able to do. A limitation of the OCG is that it does not work well when there is more than a minimal amount of jaundice. Fortunately, most people with gallstones are not jaundiced.

As would be expected, ultrasonography sometimes finds gallstones that are missed by the OCG. Less frequently, the OCG finds gallstones that are missed by ultrasonography. For this reason, if gallstones are strongly suspected but ultrasonography does not show them, it is reasonable to consider doing an OCG. So OCGs are still done, and for good reason.
Last Editorial Review: 10/26/2003

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• Gallstones - Learn about gallstones symptoms like biliary colic, constant pain in the middle of the upper abdomen, or right upper abomen accompanied by nausea. Causes and treatment information is also included.
• The Digestive System - Read about the digestive system from chewing food, swallowing, emptying into the stomach, through the small and large intestines, and then expelling waste through the anus.

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