technetium-tc-99m-sulfur-colloid and Bile-Duct-Diseases

In recent years, noninvasive evaluation of Caroli's disease has been demonstrated by computed tomography, ultrasonography, and nuclear scintigraphy. Confirmation of Caroli's disease requires invasive procedures such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. All of the techniques give valuable information making it easier to diagnose Caroli's disease and to determine its extent. In addition, associated abnormalities in organs outside of the biliary system may be revealed. Two cases are presented to illustrate the radiographic and scintigraphic findings of Caroli's disease.

Topics: Adult; Bile Duct Diseases; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Cholecystectomy; Female; Humans; Imino Acids; Kidney Diseases, Cystic; Male; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Splenomegaly; Sulfur; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Disofenin; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography

Topics: Adolescent; Bile Duct Diseases; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Imino Acids; Infant; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Sulfur; Syndrome; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Diethyl-iminodiacetic Acid; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy with the 99mTc-labeled iminodiacetic acid derivatives has been shown to be useful in the evaluation of biliary tract diseases, especially for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Little emphasis has been placed on the importance of the hepatic parenchymal image that occurs early in the imaging sequence. To determine what information can be obtained from the hepatic parenchymal image, a comparison was carried out of sulfur colloid and iminodiacetic acid images in 50 patients with focal defects. In 46 of 50 patients, the number and position of lesions on the two studies were similar, while in four patients the images were discordant. In addition to being very similar in lesion detection, the iminodiacetic acid scans also allowed more specificity in the later imaging (biliary phase) in 13 cases. The value of iminodiacetic acid derivatives in the evaluation of some biliary tract disorders has been established; considerable value can also be obtained by close inspection of the hepatic parenchymal image as well.

Topics: Adult; Bile Duct Diseases; Bile Ducts; Cholecystitis; Female; Humans; Imino Acids; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Organotechnetium Compounds; Radionuclide Imaging; Sulfur; Technetium; Technetium Tc 99m Lidofenin; Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; Time Factors