Pediatric hepatobiliary scintigraphy: biliary atresia and beyond

Imaging is essential in evaluating pediatric patients with suspected hepatobiliary abnormalities. While anatomic imaging is commonly requested initially, in a variety of clinical scenarios, scintigraphy further refines the differential diagnosis and provides additional necessary functional information. The essential pathologies that benefit from scintigraphy in children encompass congenital disorders, such as biliary atresia and choledochal cysts, biliary stone diseases, functional gallbladder disorders, and suspected bile leaks. This manuscript reviews the proper technique of performing hepatobiliary scintigraphy in children and highlights the scintigraphic features of pediatric hepatobiliary pathologies.