Fluoroscopic control of gallbladder drains

Author: Mikael Häggström

Procedure

• Take an initial anteroposterior image of the presumed locations of the gallbladder and common bile duct.
• Infuse iodinated contrast, usually amounting to approximately 5-10g (or about 10 to 30 ml of concentration 350mg/ml), and note the following:

• Location of the tip of the drain in relation to the gallbladder
• Flow into the duodenum, or most distal part reached.
• Any visible dilatation of the biliary tract
• Any contrast outside the drain or biliary tract, including leakage along the outside of the drain.