A comparative study of intravenous cholangiography and 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate in patients with hepatobiliary disease.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the diagnostic value of intravenous cholangiography with 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate, a new radioisotopic biliary imaging agent, in 15 patients with suspected hepatobiliary disease. Each subject had both examinations, and the studies were interpreted independently. The results suggest that intravenous cholangiography may provide more specific information about the ductal system but is of limited value in patients with elevated bilirubin. In these patients 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate may show patency of the bile ducts and distinguish between partial and complete biliary tract obstruction. Depending upon the serum bilirubin level, both studies may provide useful and complementary information about the biliary tract.