The Value of Tc-99m Mibi for Differential Diagnosis of Biliary Atresia and Hepatitis in Rats

Abstract

Cholestatic diseases in neonates which characterized by deterioration of bile passage to intestine. We investigated the usability of Tc-99m MIBI as a hepatobiliary scintigraphy radiopharmaceutical for diferential diagnosis of biliary atresia and hepatitis in experimental model. A total of 20 males Wistar albino rats who had weights ranging from 200-350 g were included in this study. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Control group, sham operated group, biliary atresia group and chemical hepatitis group (with carbon tetrachloride) were created, respectively. Blood flow phases, consantration and early excreation phases was performed after an intravenous injection through the internal jugular vein of 37 MBq Tc-99m MIBI using a gamma camera. Dual late static images were obtained at the same position at 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after injection. In control group, radiopharmaceutical passage into the small intestine was seen between 45 and 60 min and evidently seen between 120 and 150 min as large hyperactive focus on midline or non-linear (snaky) radiopharmaceutical accumulation at the level of kidney. In biliary atresia group, radiopharmaceutical concentration was seen normal in liver but passage into the small intestine was not seen all rats. In carbon tetrachloride group, blood flow, concentration and early excretion scintigraphic images did not differ from control group and radiopharmaceutical passage into the small intestine was seen between 45 and 60 min. Although radiopharmaceuticals passage into the intestine was not shown in all rats of biliary atresia group. We suggest that Tc-99m MIBI as a radiopharmaceutical of hepatobiliary scintigraphy would be the contribution of the differential diagnosis of biliary atresia and hepatitis in humans.