131-I rose bengal liver scanning in the differential diagnosis of neonatal jaundice

Results of a series of 2i liver scans with 131-I rose bengal in 21 patients who developed progressive jaundice in the neonatal period are described. Using the 131-I rose bengal scan alone, an attempt was made to separate the patients into two groups, the first with total bile obstruction (biliary atresia) and the second with only partial biliary tract obstruction (intrinsic liver disease). The diagnostic accuracy of the scan was 82%. An additional diagnostic criterion, the count radio, is suggested. The determination of this ratio requires no additional effort or expense and would improve the diagnostic accuracy of the scan used alone in this series of patients.