CAROLIS-DISEASE VERSUS POLYCYSTIC HEPATIC-DISEASE - DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS WITH TC-99M DISIDA SCINTIGRAPHY

Four patients with multiple hepatic cysts were studied: two were diagn osed with Caroli's disease (CD) and two with polycystic hepatic diseas e (PHD). In CD, hepatic scintigraphy with Tc-99m DISIDA showed areas o f focally increased radiotracer accumulation that persisted more than 120 minutes, whereas in PHD, areas of focally decreased radiotracer ac cumulation were observed with normal liver washout and biliary excreti on. When multiple hepatic cysts are shown by abdominal echography or C T scan, hepatic scintigraphy with Tc-99m DISIDA should be performed. T his examination is safe and non-invasive, and permits differential dia gnosis between CD and PHD.