THE BILIARY EXCRETION OF BROMSULFALEIN AS A TEST OF LIVER FUNCTION IN A GROUP OF PATIENTS FOLLOWING HEPATITIS OR SERUM JAUNDICE

Abstract

This report deals with the evaluation of liver function by means of the biliary excretion of bromsulfalein in a selected group of post-hepatitis patients. 25 patients convalescing from hepatitis were selected because prolonged liver functional impairment was suspected, but not proven, on the basis of symptoms or slight abnormalities in the routine liver function tests. The biliary bromsulfalein test consists of measuring the excretion in the bile of intraven. injd. bromsulfalein. All of the 25 patients showed impaired liver function on the basis of the initial biliary bromsulfalein test. On the basis of the same test, liver function returned to normal in 15 (60%) of the patients when intensive therapy was continued for at least 3 months, while 10 patients (40%) continued to show hepatic impairment beyond this period. This test should be of help in evaluating liver function in selected patients in whom minimal hepatic impairment is suspected, particularly those patients with a history of having had hepatitis.