Impact of Abbreviated Protocol on Hepatobiliary Scan Interpretation

Abstract

A retrospective study of the biliary scans of 50 patients compared the original scan interpretations using 7 anterior images in the first hour to the interpretations using a new protocol with only 2 anterior images in the first hour. Two physicians independently reviewed the studies for each patient using the new protocol. The physicians were also shown all delayed images after 60 min. Interpretation was rendered, blind to the original interpretation and history. In 49/50 interpretations (98%) by at least one physician, the reviewer agreed with the original interpretations. In 1/50 scan descriptions (2%), the reviewer agreed with the initial description but the original interpretation was in error. For 5/50 studies (10%) reviewed by one physician, there was disagreement in the interpretation of delayed biliary-to-bowel transit. This pilot study suggests that reducing the number of images in the first hour does not significantly affect hepatobiliary scan interpretation. This protocol may be less burdensome for patients and allow more patients to be imaged by each technologist.