Abstract
99mTc-E-HIDA is a new 99mTc-labeled radiopharmaceutical predominantly excreted through the biliary tract. Thin-layer chromatographic examinations showed no significantly pertechnetate anion or radiolabeled colloid. Scintigraphic studies and hepatograms were performed in 28 patients; nine with cholelithiasis comprising patients of postcholecystectomy, two with carcinoma of bile duct, two with carcinoma of head of pancreas, 11 referred for the investigation of right upper quadrant abdominal disease, and 4 miscellaneous cases. A normal hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed the early liver uptake of tracer followed by the visualization of intrahepatic bile duct and gallbladder, and consequently was visualized the duodenum. In cases of hepatoceliular disease, the hepatic accumulation and excretion into the bile duct was delayed. The differential diagnosis between incomplete obstructive and hepatocellular disease can be done using 99mTc-E-HIDA. The only criterion that may contribute to differential diagnosis between a severely hepatocellular jaundice and a complete mechanical obstructive is the finding that in cases of a hepatocellular jaundice, the liver is homogenously seen for long time, whereas in cases of mechanical obstructive jaundice, it is visualized inhomogenously.
