Studies of the elimination of Rosa radioactive bengal

Its diagnostic utility in obstructive jaundice of the newborn

Abstract

Experience with RB131I studies in 19 infants with neonatal cholestasis is presented. A first group oí 14 infants was studied with the radioactive rose Bengal test measuring the percentage of injected RB131I excreted in 72-hr. stool collections. Eight iníants with extrahepatic biliary atresia excreted Jess than 5 % oí the injected dose. Three infants with neonatal hepatitis excreted more than 10 % and one excreted 8 % . A newborn with inspissated bile syndrome secondary to hemolytic disease excreted 4 % and 50 days aíter treatment with corticosteroid excreted 39 % oí the injected dose. One iníant with extrahepatic biliary atresia had a false va ue due to urine contamination on the stools.
A second group of 5 infants was studied with the Anger scintillation camera. Serial studies were obtained at 15-30', 60-120' and 24, 48, 72 0 and 96 hr. aíter administration oí 25 ?Ci RB131L. In 2 infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia a total biliary obstructive serial scintigraphy pattern was obtained, with no evidence of excretion oí RB131I into the bowel and persistance oí significant amounts oí activity in the liver. In 3 infants with neonatal hepatitis without severe intrahepatic cholestasis an incomplete biliary obstructive serial scintigraphy pattern was obtained, with evidence of excretion of RB131I into the bowel but delayed in comparisson with the "normal infant".