Cases of biliary atresia typically demonstrate relatively good hepatic uptake with no evidence of excretion into the bowel at 24 hours. Pretreatment with phenobarbital (5 mg/kg/day for 5 days) is done to stimulate hepatic enzymes in order to increase biliary secretion. This is helpful to minimize the possibility of a false-positive study due to pre-existing poor excretion. Radiotracers used are Tc-99m diosgenin (DISIDA) and mebrofenin (BRIDA) due to high hepatic extraction and short transit time.

Further testing include radioactive scans of the liver and a liver biopsy.