VISUALIZATION OF THE GALLBLADDER BY THE SODIUM SALT OF TETRABROMPHENOLPHTHALEIN

Abstract

Since the publication of an article a few weeks ago by two of us¹on the production of roentgen-ray shadows of the gallbladder, a more satisfactory method has been developed by using the sodium salt of tetrabromphenolphthalein, instead of the calcium salt. The sodium salt is much more soluble. We are now using only from 35 to 40 c.c. of solution instead of 350 c.c. required by the calcium salt. It is much more stable, and is not crystallized out by sterilization. The first several injections of the calcium salt, as stated in our previous publication, produced no reaction. However, it was found later that a large proportion of the patients had reactions, which were characterized by headache, backache, nausea and vomiting, which lasted from ten minutes to ten hours. There were never any significant changes in pulse or blood pressure. The sodium salt was found to produce much