REMNANTS OF NORMAL TISSUE IN POLYCYSTIC DISEASE OF THE LIVER - A CAUSE FOR DIFFICULTY IN THE INTERPRETATION OF IN-111 WHITE BLOOD-CELL STUDY

On In-111 WBC images, diffuse homogeneous uptake of the radiopharmaceu tical should be present throughout the liver. The authors present a ca se of a febrile patient with polycystic liver disease in whom the norm al diffuse uptake was not seen. Instead, the images demonstrated focal areas of uptake, which suggested infection. Tc-99m SC liver spleen sc intigraphy demonstrated the In-111 WBC foci to correspond to areas of residual normal parenchyma. The patient underwent laparotomy and liver transplantation and no abscesses were found. Pathologic examination o f the liver revealed multiple uninfected cysts and residual normal par enchyma in the caudate lobe, corresponding to the findings on scintigr aphy.