title: SPECT versus planar liver scintigraphy: is SPECT worth it?
abstract: Five hundred three planar and SPECT hepatic studies were reviewed separately by two experienced observers looking for focal disease. An equivocal reading meant referral to ultrasound or computed tomography (US/CT). The increase in correct readings and decrease in US/CT referrals per 100 positive and per 100 negative SPECT readings were calculated, then the increase in correct readings and decrease in US/CT referrals for various positive rates of liver involvement determined. At our institution, the overall positive rate is approximately 13% yielding 1.1 and 0.83 more correct readings and 1.8 and 2.0 fewer US/CT referrals per 100 cases for each reader, respectively; a marginal benefit for SPECT over planar scintigraphy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77550.
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Fawcett
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Sayle
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed / Q000191:economics; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography