Technetium Tc 99m DTPA galactosyl human serum albumin to measure changes in hepatic functional reserve after transcatheter arterial embolization of the liver.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the acute and subacute changes in hepatic functional reserve using technetium Tc 99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid galactosyl human serum albumin (Tc-99m DTPA GSA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis who had undergone transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE).


METHODS
Sequential Tc-99m DTPA GSA hepatic scintigraphies were performed prospectively in 26 consecutive patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cirrhosis approximately 1 week before, 2 days after and 1 month after TAE. Counts per 10 seconds of the heart region of interest on 3- and 15-min images and the liver region of interest on a 15-min image were calculated.


RESULTS
Clearance index decreased (p < 0.001) and receptor index and modified receptor index increased 2 days after TAE (p < 0.001 and p = 0.004, respectively), but these changes did not persist 1 month later.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has established an expected pattern of behaviour of the liver after TAE, which could be used to monitor progress of patients who undergo the procedure.
Hama
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama, 359-0042, Japan. yjhama@me.ndmc.ac.jp
Kosuda
S
S
Iwasaki
Y
Y
Kaji
T
T
Kusano
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D037263:Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
D037263:Asialoglycoprotein Receptor; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C070561:technetium Tc 99m DTPA-galactosyl-human serum albumin; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate