CORRELATION OF ISOTOPIC SPLEEN-TO-LIVER R ATIO WITH HEPATIC DAMAGE INCHRONIC DIFFUSE LIVER-DISEASE

The purpose of the study was to determine whether a correlation betwee n the radioisotopic ''spleen-to-liver'' ratio and the hepatic damage ( according to Knodell's Index) exists in patients with chronic liver di sease, in order to ascertain whether hepatic biopsy should be performe d under visual (laparoscopic) control or not (blind liver biopsy). Thi rty patients with inflammatory chronic hepatic disease were studied (9 chronic persistent hepatitis, 14 active chronic hepatitis and 7 hepat ic cirrhosis). An inverse correlation was found between Knodell's Inde x and the ''spleen-to-liver'' ratio with moderate statistical signific ance (r = -0,46). In conclusion, the isotopic ''spleen-to-liver'' rati o correlates moderately well with the degree of hepatic damage and con sequently it can only be used as orientation about the preferable way for obtainment of liver biopsy (laparoscopically or not).