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Sarcopenia does not affect total liver function measured using technetium-99m mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy.
Pieter Arntz1, Pim Olthof2,3, Fadi Rassam2
1Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Department of Surgery, University of Amsterdam, VUMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. p.j.arntz@amsterdamumc.nl.
Sarcopenia does not affect total liver function (TLF) measured by hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS). Decreased TLF is linked to older age, liver cancer, cirrhosis, and high bilirubin levels.
Area of Science:
- Hepatobiliary imaging
- Surgical oncology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) with technetium-99m mebrofenin estimates risks for major liver resections.
- Sarcopenia is independently linked to poor surgical outcomes.
- The study investigated factors influencing total liver function (TLF).
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate patient and disease factors, including sarcopenia, with TLF.
- To assess the impact of sarcopenia on liver function estimation.
- To identify predictors of reduced TLF in patients undergoing HBS.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study.
- Analysis of 346 patients undergoing HBS to quantify TLF.
- Correlation analysis of body composition, patient demographics, and disease status with TLF.
Main Results:
- Median TLF was 15.0 %/min.
- Body composition parameters, including sarcopenia, did not correlate with TLF.
- Older age, hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis, and high bilirubin levels were associated with decreased TLF.
- Absence of liver disease and good general health correlated with higher TLF.
Conclusions:
- Sarcopenia does not influence TLF as measured by HBS.
- TLF is negatively impacted by older age, hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis, and elevated serum bilirubin.
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