ASSESSING DIFFUSE LIVER-DISEASE WITH THE HEPATIC-UPTAKE RATE OF TC-99(M)-COLLOIDS

The hepatic uptake rate of sulphur or tin colloid tvas measured in the fasting state in patients who were later identified as belonging to o ne of three groups: normal, parenchymal liver disease or cirrhosis. Su bsequent analysis showed a progressive decline in the hepatic uptake r ate of tracer as the severity of hepatocellular damage increased. In p articular, there was a positive correlation between the impairment of tracer uptake, and Childs' class A, B or C in the cirrhotic patients. In addition, a very low hepatic uptake rate of tracer was almost as go od (80% accuracy) as Childs' class C (83% accuracy) in identifying pat ients likely to die of hepatocellular problems within a year. When com pared with needle biopsies or histology, the uptake rate usually prove d equally accurate in indicating the severity of diffuse hepatocellula r disease, and on occasions it was a better indicator of long-term out come.