technetium-tc-99m-lidofenin and Ascites

Topics: Ascites; Bile Duct Diseases; Bilirubin; Cholecystectomy; Cystic Duct; Drainage; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Male; Radiopharmaceuticals; Technetium Tc 99m Lidofenin; Ultrasonography

A 99mTc-HIDA scan was performed on a 4-mo-old female, six days after hepatic transplantation. Gradually, a diffuse increase in activity was seen over the peritoneal region, consistent with a slow bile leak into ascitic fluid. Although the scintigraphic appearance of a bile leak has been previously described, it is usually seen as a focal area of extrabiliary activity. In this case, we report a pattern identified when the leak occurs in conjunction with ascites.

Topics: Anastomosis, Surgical; Appendix; Ascites; Bile; Biliary Atresia; Common Bile Duct; Female; Humans; Imino Acids; Infant; Liver Transplantation; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium Tc 99m Lidofenin

Bile ascites is a rare cause of mild icterus and abdominal distension in the newborn. An indirect inguinal hernia may also occur. The authors report such a case in a 5-week-old infant. Proof was obtained by abdominal ultrasonography followed by scanning with N-(2,6-dimethyl phenyl carboxymethyl) iminodiacetic acid labelled with technetium 99m (99mTc HIDA) and paracentesis. Laparotomy was carried out at 7 weeks of age and the opening in the common bile duct was closed with excellent results.

Topics: Ascites; Bilirubin; Common Bile Duct; Hernia, Inguinal; Humans; Imino Acids; Infant, Newborn; Male; Radionuclide Imaging; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Lidofenin