Abstract: A composition to be used in a method for imaging liver and for biliary function, the composition comprising a scanning agent that is combined with a radioisotope. The scanning agent is preferably a glycoprotein whose glycosidic side chains terminate in a sialic acid moiety followed by a galactose as exemplified by gamma globulin. The preferred radioisotope is technetium (.sup.99m Tc).The composition of the invention will bind to hepatocyte (liver cell) membranes whereas most known pertechnetated hepatic scanning agents attach to the reticuloendothelial cells of the liver (Kuppfer cells) with the advantage being that the present composition will be excreted into the bile ducts and make its way to the intestines, thus acting as an indicator of biliary tree patency.The composition has been administered to human subjects and animals for liver imaging using the anger camera as well as for evaluating the biliary function.