Small hepatocellular carcinoma visualized with technetium-99m(Sn)-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan

We report a case of small hepatocellular carcinoma depicted by 99mTc-PMT scintigraphy. On the X-ray computed tomogram there was no visualization of a SOL in the liver. Ultrasonography showed a hyperechoic mass of less than 2 cm in diameter in the left lateral segment of the liver. In the image obtained at 3 hr after 99mTc-PMT injection there was an area of markedly increased activity. When the surgery, left lateral segmentectomy of the liver, was performed more than 2 months later, the tumor had enlarged to 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm in size. 99mTc-PMT may prove to be useful for scintigraphic localization of small hepatocellular carcinoma.