Leroy A. Sugarman

Evaluation of the postoperative patient with 99mTc-IDA cholescintigraphy.

In order to assess the role of 99mTc-iminodiacetic acid (IDA) cholescintigraphy in evaluating postoperative patients, a total of 213 studies were performed in 189 patients over a 3-year time period. Of these, 130 studies were obtained in 125 cases with signs and/or symptoms suggesting postcholecystectomy syndrome. A normal sized duct that emptied within an hour ruled out significant pathology with a high degree of accuracy (97%). A less reliable finding of normalcy was the combination of ductal dilatation with functional patency in that three of 20 patients (15%) who exhibited this pattern were proven to have nonobstructing calculi in their common bile duct. AZ spectrum of abnormal findings was encountered. Ductal dilatation was a most significant indicator of partial or intermittent ductal obstruction when it was associated with altered time-activity dynamics in the ducts and secondarily, delayed biliary-to-bowel transit time of the radiotracer. Patterns indicating complete common duct obstruction, cystic duct remnants, and bile leaks also proved to be very sensitive. Seventy-three studies in 56 patients very accurately evaluated the integrity of biliary-enteric bypass anastomosis. Complete and partial obstructive patterns were similar in appearance to those encountered in postcholecystectomy syndrome. Several leaks were also detected in this patient population. Ten studies were performed in eight patients who underwent Billroth II gastroenterostomies primarily to see if afferent loop obstruction was present. Three of these patients did demonstrate dilated A-loops with stasis, thereby making a positive diagnosis possible.

Choledochal cyst complicated by acute cholecystitis and bypass obstruction: diagnostic role of Tc-99m-HIDA cholescintigraphy

An unusual case of malignant degeneration of a choledochal cyst is presented. The presence of acute cholecystitis with the cystic duct originating from the cyst as well as the subsequent obstruction of the cyst-jejunal surgical anastomosis was readily detected with Tc-99m-dimethyl-iminodicetic (Tc-99m-HIDA) cholescintigraphy.

Scintigraphic features of cavernous transformation of the portal vein.

A case of portal vein obstruction with cavernous transformation is presented, in which findings on both Tc-99m-sulfur colloid and HIDA liver scintigrams suggested the diagnosis. These findings included a focal hyperconcentration of colloid on the former and notching of the common bile duct as well as “draping” of the right hepatic duct on the latter. All of these findings were shown at angiography and surgery to be secondary to extensive venous collateral vessels related to portal vein obstruction.