Prominent gaseous distension of bowel causing false-positive technetium-99m sulfur colloid liver scintigram

A Tc-99m sulfur colloid liver scan carried out shortly after a prolonged upper gastrointestinal endoscopy demonstrated two concave indentations along the inferior border of the liver and increased space between the left lobe of the liver and the spleen. These abnormalities, simulating compression by an extrinsic mass, were caused by air introduced endoscopically into the gastrointestinal tract. Eight days later, a repeat radiocolloid scan was normal. There should be awareness that gaseous distension of the bowel and stomach may result in a false-positive radiocolloid liver scan. Correlation with abdominal radiographs may avert such misinterpretation.