[The normal liver-spleen scintigram with the gamma camera (author's transl)]

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Radiology

Background:

• Liver spleen scintigraphy is a key diagnostic tool.
• Understanding normal variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
• Gamma camera imaging offers advanced visualization capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze liver spleen scintigrams in healthy patients using uniform criteria.
• To compare gamma camera scintigraphy with traditional scanner methods.
• To establish quantitative parameters for liver and spleen size and shape.

Main Methods:

• 104 patients without liver disease underwent liver spleen scintigraphy.
• 99mTc-sulfur colloid was administered, followed by gamma camera imaging in at least six projections.
• Data processing was coupled with image acquisition.
• Quantitative parameters including liver and spleen dimensions and indices were determined.

Main Results:

• Gamma camera scintigraphy frequently showed non-homogeneous liver storage patterns, especially in the ventral projection, unlike scanner scintigraphy.
• Superimpositions from intra- or extrahepatic structures were more common and pronounced with gamma camera imaging.
• Quantitative parameters like maximum liver diameter, liver area, spleen area, liver size index, and spleen area index were established.
• Projection choice did not significantly affect area dimensions and indices, allowing accurate measurements even from oblique views.

Conclusions:

• Gamma camera scintigraphy provides detailed visualization of liver and spleen, revealing normal variations.
• Quantitative indices derived from scintigraphy are reliable for assessing organ size.
• The findings support the use of gamma camera scintigraphy for accurate liver and spleen evaluation in clinical practice.