Ultrasound and scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice

Abstract

Abstract Eight cases of obstructive jaundice are described to illustrate how diagnostic ultrasonography may be used to differentiate between intra‐ and extrahepatic jaundice, especially in patients with malignancy. Ultrasound can also provide accurate anatomical localization of the tumor site and can reveal the cause of the obstruction. The ultrasound results are compared with the isotopic findings. Cold areas in the scintigram caused by dilatation of the biliary tree may be misinterpreted. The ability of ultrasound to differentiate between solid and cystic tumors produces more diagnostic data than can be obtained by isotopic scanning. Because of the limitations of radiological procedures in the deeply jaundiced patient, ultrasound is the method of choice for initial investigation.