Hepatic perfusion index and the evolution of liver metastases.
A total of 150 patients with primary carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract had first-pass technetium colloid scintigraphy to estimate the hepatic perfusion index (HPI). Postoperative follow-up over 2-4 years shows that the HPI remains a sensitive method of detecting hepatic metastases, even in patients whose liver appeared normal at laparotomy. HPI was elevated in 94% of patients with liver metastases found at laparotomy; 87% of patients with occult metastases which became overt within 3 years of surgery had elevated HPI; and 91% of all patients who have to date developed hepatic metastases had elevated HPI at presentation. Of all patients with elevated HPI, 82% had metastases which were either apparent at surgery or became detectable by other means within 3 years.
Cooke
D A
DA
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
Parkin
A
A
Wiggins
P
P
Robinson
P J
PJ
Giles
G R
GR
D005770:Gastrointestinal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008102:Liver Circulation; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D010477:Perfusion; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid