title: [Diagnostic reliability of scintigraphy in hepatic metastases of breast cancer].
abstract: The authors have reviewed their experiences in determining the presence of liver metastases in 103 patients by radiocolloid scanning. The sensitivity of liver scanning proved to be quite low if the presence of focal defects of tracer's distribution was chosen as the diagnostic criterion. The inclusion of less restrictive criteria, such as liver enlargement or irregular distribution of the tracer, resulted in an higher sensitivity without lowering the predictive value of a negative scan. Using the more extensive diagnostic criterion, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were in the range of 90%. Abnormal liver scans are common in patients classified as T3-T4 or N+ and their chances of to be "true positives" are high. Conversely, abnormal scans are seldom found in patients classified as T1-T2 or N0 and chances of "false positives" are high.
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006048:Gold Colloid, Radioactive; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D010833:Phytic Acid; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013455:Sulfur; D013667:Technetium; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid
chemical_list: D006048:Gold Colloid, Radioactive; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C026177:technetium phytate; D013671:Technetium Tc 99m Sulfur Colloid; D013455:Sulfur; D013667:Technetium; D010833:Phytic Acid
vernacular_title: L'attendibilità diagnostica della scintigrafia nelle metastasi epatiche da carcinoma mammario.