Diagnostic performance of a receptor-binding radiopharmacokinetic model.
The aim of this study was to determine which measurement obtained from a radiopharmacokinetic model of a receptor-binding radiotracer provides the highest diagnostic performance for the detection of diffuse hepatocellular disease.


METHODS
Twenty-seven healthy subjects and 46 patients with diffuse hepatocellular disease were studied with the receptor-binding radiopharmaceutical, 99mTc-galactosyl-neoglycoalbumin. A radiopharmacokinetic model was used to produce estimates of receptor concentration [R]o, the scaled forward-binding rate constant Kb, hepatic plasma volume, Vh, extrahepatic plasma volume, Ve and hepatic plasma flow, F. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of each model estimate was conducted.


RESULTS
Receptor concentration [R]o and the metrics [R]o/tbw and kb[R]o[R]o/tbw provided the best discrimination between healthy and diseased liver. The forward-binding rate constant kb and the metrics F/Ve and Vh/tbw provided no discrimination.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on simplicity and higher measurement precision, [R]o was selected as the most accurate index of hepatic function.
Vera
D R
DR
Department of Radiology, University of California, Davis 95817, USA.
Stadalnik
R C
RC
Metz
C E
CE
Pimstone
N R
NR
D000418:Albumins; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D012372:ROC Curve; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000032:analysis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014018:Tissue Distribution
D000418:Albumins; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D012709:Serum Albumin; C036586:technetium Tc 99m neogalactoalbumin