Volume Changes in Gallbladder in Association with Intravenous Use of Nonionic Contrast Agents

Background: To determine whether use of intravenous (IV) nonionic contrast agent affects the gallbladder (GB) volume in the preceding sonographic imaging. Materials and methods: The GB volume was measured sonographically before and 15 minutes after the IV contrast agent injection in 200 patients referred to the teaching hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Mashhad, Iran). Results: There was a statistically significant difference between GB volumes after the injection of contrast media (19.59 +/- 4.49 compared with 16.06 +/- 3.89 m3, respectively; p < 0.001). However, no statistically significant difference in GB volume changes was found in male and female patients or in patients over the age of 45 or below. Conclusion: The GB volume reduces 15 minutes after IV use of the contrast agent. This reduction should be taken into consideration when ordering an imaging modality with IV contrast injection accompanied by ultrasound evaluation of GB. (C) 2013, Elsevier Taiwan LLC and the Chinese Taipei Society of Ultrasound in Medicine.