Biliary scintiscanning in suspected acute cholecystitis

The value of biliary scintiscanning in the early diagnosis of suspected acute cholecystitis was studied in 50 patients. All the patients had clinical features and laboratory data suggestive of acute cholecystitis. Scintigraphy was performed using99mTc HIDA and BIDA and the results were compared to oral cholecystography (OCG) and ultrasonography (US). Nineteen patients were proven at operation and at subsequent histologic examination to have had acute cholecystitis, while the other 31 had different conditions. The scan was 100% sensitive and 96% accurate, while OCG was sensitive in 93% and accurate in 86% in this group. US was not very useful in our experience. Scintiscanning could be performed in the acute stage even in the presence of vomiting and jaundice and was not associated with any adverse reactions. It is very valuable in the diagnosis of patients with suspected acute cholecystitis.