The diagnostic accuracy of biliary scanning using 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate was determined in a series of 51 surgically jaundiced patients. This noninvasive technique was found to be safe, reliable and universally applicable in all instances of jaundice, regardless of the serum bilirubin value or prothrombin time. The 99mTc-pyridoxylideneglutamate biliary scan is most advantageously carried out after clinical assessment and full biochemical evaluation of the patient. The scan result will indicate the next logical step in the management of the patient, whether it is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, biopsy of the liver or laparotomy.