The value of radionuclide hepatobiliary scintigraphy in combination with determination of bilirubin from duodenal drainage in differential diagnosis of infantile persistent jaundice

The aim of this study was to investigate the value of technetium etifenin injection (^99mTc-EHIDA) hepatobiliary scintigraphy in combination with determination of bilirubin from duodenal drainage in differential diagnosis between infantile hepatitis syndrome and biliary atresia. ^99mTc-EHIDA hepatobiliary scintigraphy in combination with duodenal fluid examination was used for evaluation in 84 infants with persistent infantile jaundice. For diagnosing biliary atresia, the sensitivity and specificity of scintigraphy were 100% and 74.5%, respectively; the sensitivity and specificity of scintigraphy in combination with duodenal fluid examination were 100% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, hepatobiliary scintigraphy, which is a noninvasive, safe, valuable examination method, in combination with examination of duodenal fluid, is of value for the differential diagnosis between infantile hepatitis syndrome and biliary atresia.