Understanding Cholecystography: Types and Procedures

Oral cholecystography (OCG)

* The most common type of cholecystography

* Involves drinking a contrast agent that is absorbed by the liver and excreted into the bile

* The gallbladder can then be visualized on X-ray

Intravenous cholecystography (IVCG)

* Less common than OCG

* Involves injecting a contrast agent directly into a vein

* The contrast agent travels to the liver and is excreted into the bile

* The gallbladder can then be visualized on X-ray

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC)

* Used when OCG and IVCG are not possible or do not provide enough information

* Involves inserting a needle through the skin and into the liver

* Contrast agent is injected through the needle and into the bile ducts

* The bile ducts and gallbladder can then be visualized on X-ray

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP)

* Uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the bile ducts and gallbladder

* Does not involve the use of contrast agents

* Is less invasive than PTC and ERCP