title: Resolution of hepatopulmonary syndrome after methadone withdrawal as demonstrated by right to left shunt study.
abstract: We present the right to left shunt study findings of a 50-year-old male patient with hepatitis C cirrhosis, who complained of worsening dyspnea on exertion. Follow-up images showed resolution of hepatopulmonary syndrome following methadone withdrawal although there had been no improvement in his liver disease. This was unusual and may have been due to the effect of opiate receptors on nitric oxide signaling in the pulmonary vasculature.
authors.affiliation: Department of PET and Nuclear Medicine, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. bkitzing@gmail.com
authors.forename: Bjoern
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kitzing
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Torzillo
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Allman
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D008691:Methadone