USEFULNESS OF TECHNETIUM-99M-GALACTOSYL HUMAN SERUM-ALBUMIN LIVER SCINTIGRAPHY FOR ASSESSMENT OF SEVERITY OF ALCOHOLIC HEPATITIS

We performed a liver scintigraphy using technetium-99m diethylenetriam inepentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin (Tc-99m-GSA), which images the functional liver mass through its binding to the specific receptor asialoglycoprotein receptor in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. Receptor index (LHL 15) was significantly lower in patient s with alcoholic hepatitis, compared with controls with normal liver, Difference in the isotope uptake patterns between liver and heart vari ed according to the severity of liver disease, and made it possible to categorize 5 grades. Grading score could discriminate between the eve ntual outcome of the patients, Furthermore, single photon emission com puted tomography showed the variable uptake patterns in the hepatic lo bule, wherein there were no evident findings in macroscopic view at au topsy, The results of this study show the usefulness of Tc-99m-GSA sci ntigraphy in the evaluation and prognosis of alcoholic hepatitis.