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Factors affecting the quantitative liver-spleen scan in normal individuals
John C Hoefs1, Muhammad Y Sheikh, Heather Guerrero
1Division of Gastroenterology/Liver Disease Program, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine/ UCI Medical Center, Orange, California 92868, USA. jchoefs@uci.edu
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|March 5, 2005
Summary
Fasting status and sulfur colloid particle size do not affect liver and spleen volumes measured by quantitative liver-spleen scans (QLSS). However, postprandial scans show higher values for key indices, suggesting they may be preferable for accurate QLSS assessments.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Medicine
- Medical Imaging
- Radiopharmacology
Background:
- Quantitative liver-spleen scan (QLSS) estimates functional hepatic mass and organ volumes using sulfur colloid (SC) distribution.
- Previous QLSS normal ranges may be affected by fasting, potentially yielding slightly abnormal values.
- Understanding factors influencing QLSS measurements is crucial for accurate clinical interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of fasting versus fed status on QLSS quantitative measurements.
- To assess the effect of different sulfur colloid (SC) particle sizes on QLSS parameters.
- To determine optimal conditions for QLSS in normal individuals.
Main Methods:
- Twelve healthy individuals underwent QLSS twice, under fasting and postprandial conditions, two weeks apart.
- SC injections used either solution A (5- to 12-microm) or solution B (2- to 12-microm) particle size.
- SPECT and planar imaging analyzed SC distribution, calculating liver-spleen ratio ([L/(L + S)]t), liver-spleen index (LSI), liver-bone marrow index (LBI), and perfused hepatic mass (PHM).
Main Results:
- Liver and spleen volumes, and LBI, were unaffected by SC solution type or ingestion status.
- The [L/(L + S)]t ratio and pixel count were significantly higher with solution B and in postprandial studies.
- Fasting significantly decreased [L/(L + S)]t, LSI, and PHM compared to postprandial states for both SC solutions.
Conclusions:
- QLSS functional indices in normal individuals align with previously reported ranges.
- Liver and spleen volumes are not altered by fasting or SC particle size.
- Postprandial QLSS scans are recommended due to higher, narrower normal ranges for key indices ([L/(L + S)]t, LSI, PHM).