Oral Cholecystogram (OCG)

An oral cholecystogram (OCG) is an x-ray examination of your gallbladder. The gallbladder is shaped like a balloon and is positioned under your liver. It stores and releases bile into the small intestine for the purpose of digesting fat. X-ray dye pills are swallowed the night before the exam. The dye fills the gallbladder and casts shadows which can be recorded on an x-ray. OCG are requested for patients who are experiencing abdominal pain, weight loss, nausea and vomiting or jaundice.

An OCG takes 30 minutes to perform. You will be positioned on your back on the x-ray table. Sometimes part of the x-ray machine will press on your abdomen in order to obtain better pictures. The x-ray films will be reviewed by a radiologist who will then prepare a report for your physician. This report will be sent to your physician's office.

Patient Preparation:

1. You must pick up the x-ray dye pills 24 hours before the procedure. Contact us for pick up arrangements.
2. Follow all the instruction on the pill packet.
3. Notify your doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the dye, you develop a fever, or you vomit up the pills after you take them.
4. Do not eat or drink anything except water after you have taken the pills.

After Discharge:

1. You may return to your normal diet and activities after the exam.

Precautions:

1. Because x-ray is used for this study you should inform the doctor or technologist if there is any possibility that you are pregnant.
2. Tell the technologist if you have any allergies to medicine, x-ray dye, iodine or shellfish.
3. Tell the technologist or nurse if you have a history of severe liver disease.
4. The x-ray dye may cause mild diarrhea. This is not considered an abnormal side effect.