MEASUREMENT OF HEPATIC BLOOD-FLOW USING IN-111 COLLOID

The reduced hepatic blood flow calculated from hepatic scintigram with Au-198 colloid was elucidated as the primary responsible factor for p ostoperative hepatic insufficiency. However Au-198 colloid is no longe r in use because of the high levels of radiation. Although Tc-99m-phyt ate behaves similarly to Au-198 on imaging, there were discrepancies b etween the hepatic blood flow index (K-L) value and the severity of ci rrhosis determined by laboratory data or by histology. In the measurem ent of hepatic blood flow using a radioactive colloid, factors like or gan distribution, stability and uniformity of the colloid particles in fluence the values, In the present study, a In-111 colloid was prepare d and administered to rats to investigate the usefulness: as much as 9 5.4 (0.8) [Mean (+/-SD)] % of the colloid accumulated in the liver at pH 6.8. The distribution of particle diameter was within a relatively narrow range with the peak at 0.2 to 0.4 mu m. Moreover, the K-L value s were not affected by condition of the reticuloendothelial system. Th e values showed a significant correlation with the measurements of the hepatic tissue blood flow obtained by the hydrogen gas clearance meth od (gamma=0.83, P<0.001). Thus,the In-111 colloid can be clinically us ed as a substitute for Au-198 colloid in the preoperative examination for estimation of the limit of resection.