Assessment of hepatic function after hepato-porto-enterostomy for biliary atresia using Tc-diethyl-IDA.

A quantifiable biliary function index has been developed from analysis of hepatic time--activity curves. Diethyl-IDA, a technetium-labeled iminodiacetic acid was given intravenously 27 times in 11 patients with proven biliary atresia. An estimated bile bilirubin clearance index derived from the inscribed hepatic absorption and elimination curves appears to be a reliable indicator of bile bilirubin clearance. The actual bile bilirubin clearance, previously shown to be a major determinant of survival, was clinically correlated in five patients studied before and after surgery and confirms the experimental findings. The clearance index should allow objective assessment of the efficacy of surgery for biliary atresia.