Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro
Published on: January 31, 2022
Dynamic SPECT Assessment of Hepatic Function in Patients With Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Bader Aloufi1,2, Roger Fulton1,3, Kathy Willowson4,5
1Discipline of Medical Imaging Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Introduction:
Dynamic Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (dynSPECT) is an advanced functional imaging modality that enables estimation of temporal changes in radiopharmaceutical distribution and physiological function. While dynSPECT has been employed in several clinical applications, it has not been widely applied to liver imaging. This review aims to investigate the role and effectiveness of dynSPECT in assessing hepatic function.
Methods:
Following PRISMA guidelines, literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, IEEE, and Web of Science, including all publications available up to December 2025 that assessed liver function using dynSPECT imaging, standard laboratory function tests and clinical scoring systems. Search results were screened by two authors. Included studies were assessed for bias using the QUADAS-2 quality assessment test tool.
Results:
Sixteen eligible studies were incorporated in this review, involving 715 participants, of whom 87% (624) had hepatic diseases. Meta-analysis revealed correlations between dynSPECT measures of liver function and the laboratory tests, including Hepaplastin (r = 0.5471; 95% CI: 0.4523 to 0.6418), Indocyanine Green (ICG) (r = -0.461; 95% CI: -0.831 to -0.081), and Bilirubin (r = -0.425; 95% CI: -0.714 to -0.14). Furthermore, the comparison between the two dynSPECT parameters and clinical scoring systems, including the Child-Pugh score, MELD, and the histologic activity index (HAI), has a significant effect on liver disease assessment, with a combined p-value < 0.001.
Conclusion:
DynSPECT is a useful tool for the assessment of liver function in patients with hepatic dysfunction, providing results comparable to clinical laboratory function tests and scoring systems.
Related Concept Videos
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Hepatic Drug Excretion: Influencing Factors
Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
