Hepato-biliary Scintigraphy in diagnosis of Biliary Atresia.

BACKGROUND

Biliary Atresia and Neonatal Hepatitis are the two major causes of Persistent Neonatal Jaundice. Differentiation is done by biochemical and radiological tests. Radiological investigations use intra-or extra-hepatic biliary dilation for diagnosing biliary atresia but this is not always reliable.

METHODS

14 neonates with persistent conjugated hyperbilirubinemia who had undergone hepato-biliary scintigraphy were retrospectively evaluated and those having Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia were analyzed with reference to operative findings.

RESULTS

11 out of 14 had Extrahepatic Biliary Atresia during operation whereas 3 proved to be false positive.

CONCLUSION

Mebrofenin hepato - biliary scintigraphy is a simple, safe, accurate and cost effective investigation for diagnosis of biliary atresia.