title: CT/99mTc-GSA SPECT fusion images demonstrate functional differences between the liver lobes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the functional differences between the 2 liver lobes in non-cirrhotic patients by using computed tomography/(99m)Tc-galactosyl human serum albumin (CT/(99m)Tc-GSA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) fusion images.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2008 and March 2012, 264 non-cirrhotic patients underwent preoperative liver function assessment using CT/(99m)Tc-GSA SPECT fusion images. Of these, 30 patients, in whom the influence of a tumor on the liver parenchyma was estimated to be negligible, were selected. Specifically, the selected patients were required to meet either of the following criteria: (1) the presence of an extrahepatic tumor; or (2) presence of a single small intrahepatic tumor. These 30 patients were retrospectively analyzed to calculate the percentage volume (%Volume) and the percentage function (%Function) of each lobe. The ratio between the %Function and %Volume (function-to-volume ratio) of each lobe was also calculated, and the ratios were compared between the 2 lobes. Furthermore, the correlations between the function-to-volume ratio and each of 2 liver parameters [lobe volume and diameter ratio of the left portal vein to the right portal vein (LPV-to-RPV diameter ratio)] were investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median values of %Volume and %Function were 62.6% and 67.1% in the right lobe, with %Function being significantly higher than %Volume (P < 0.01). The median values of %Volume and %Function were 31.0% and 28.7% in the left lobe, with %Function being significantly lower than %Volume (P < 0.01). The function-to-volume ratios of the right lobe (1.04-1.14) were significantly higher than those of the left lobe (0.74-0.99) (P < 0.01). The function-to-volume ratio showed no significant correlation between the lobe volume in either lobe. In contrast, the function-to-volume ratio showed significant correlations with the LPV-to-RPV diameter ratio in both lobes (right lobe: negative correlation, r s = -0.37, P = 0.048; left lobe: positive correlation, r s = 0.71, P < 0.001). The function-to-volume ratio in the left lobe tended to be higher, and that in the right lobe tended to be lower, in accordance with the increase in the LPV-to-RPV diameter ratio.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT/(99m)Tc-GSA SPECT fusion images demonstrated that the function of the left lobe was significantly decreased compared with that of the right lobe in non-cirrhotic livers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Kochi Health Sciences Center, Ike 2125, Kochi, Japan. tasu050520@yahoo.co.jp
authors.forename: Tatsuaki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sumiyoshi
authors.forename: Yasuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shima
authors.forename: Ryoutarou
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tokorodani
authors.forename: Takehiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okabayashi
authors.forename: Akihito
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kozuki
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: Yoriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Kiminori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uka
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004067:Digestive System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008111:Liver Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009929:Organ Size; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; C070561:technetium Tc 99m DTPA-galactosyl-human serum albumin; D016284:Technetium Tc 99m Pentetate
keywords: 99mTc neogalactoalbumin; Computed tomography; Fusion image; Liver; Portal system; Single-photon emission computed tomography