Technetium-99m-pyridoxylideneglutamate, a new agent for gallbladder imaging: comparison with 131I-rose bengal.

ABSTRACT

Two agents used for hepatobiliary studies, 131I-rose bengal and 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate, have been compared in rabbits. The 99mTc radiopharmaceutical is rapidly cleared from the blood by the liver and rapidly excreted through the common bile duct into the duodenum. Because of its rapid removal from the liver, visualization of the gallbladder and biliary passages was obtained within 15 min after injection in experimental animals.