Hepatobiliary scanning in cholecystitis.

To validate the use of 99mTc-PIPIDA in the diagnosis of biliary tract disease, 117 patients with clinical symptoms of acute cholecystitis were prospectively scanned as an initial screening test. The accuracy of the test was evaluated on the basis of surgical pathology in 59 patients. Three groups were defined: cystic duct obstruction, common duct obstruction, and normal scan. The diagnostic accuracy of the test for acute cholecystitis was 97%. Complete common duct obstruction was confirmed at surgery in 12 patients (100%). A normal scan helped to rule out acute cholecystitis. Jaundice did not influence the reliability of the method. Hepatobiliary scanning is an accurate, safe, and rapid diagnostic test for acute cholecystitis.