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X-ray examination of the biliary system is often necessary in an acutely ill patient. Oral cholecystography and cholangiography may fail in adynamic ileus, upper intestinal obstruction or inflammatory disease, or vomiting which interferes with absorption of the contrast material from the upper intestinal tract. An intravenous study may be contraindicated because of previous reactions. The rectal route of administration of biliary contrast material offers an alternative approach and led to our evaluation of salts of Ipodate.2 Since the venous drainage of both the upper and lower intestinal tracts is mainly through the portal system, the rectal administration of biliary contrast agents anatomically favors the same venous route to the liver as does the oral. The clinical, pharmacologic, and chemical properties of the salts of Ipodate have been reported by several investigators (3–6). The structural formulas of these salts are shown in Figure 1. Because both the sodium and calcium salts of Ipodate are heat-se...