Redistribution of radiocolloid uptake after focal hepatic radiation

A woman with colonic carcinoma metastatic to the liver received 2,200 rad external beam radiation to the right hepatic lobe. A repeat liver scan, 2 months after conclusion of radiation therapy, showed a shift in the distribution of radiocolloid uptake to the left lobe and spleen. This altered pattern was likely related to the large volume of hepatic tissue included in the radiation portal, with damage to the radiated area. The clinician must be alert to abnormalities induced not only by neoplastic disease, but by the therapy utilized.