[Nuclear-medical methods in hepatology].

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Hepatology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Liver function assessment is crucial for managing various liver diseases.
• Radiotracers provide non-invasive methods for evaluating liver cell function, blood flow, and disease progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the applications of nuclear medicine techniques in assessing liver function and diagnosing liver diseases.
• To highlight the utility of various radiopharmaceuticals and imaging modalities in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing liver-specific dyes (e.g., labeled BSP, bengalrosa, X-ray contrast media) for clearance and retention measurements.
• Employing radiolabeled colloids, 133Xe, and microspheres for blood flow studies and shunt detection.
• Dynamic scintigraphy with 99mTc-IDA compounds for hepatobiliary transport assessment and radionuclide splenoportography.

Main Results:

• Nuclear medicine tests are valuable for monitoring liver disease progression and evaluating surgical portosystemic shunts.
• Dynamic scintigraphy aids in assessing liver blood flow, diagnosing portal hypertension, and predicting prognosis after shunt operations.
• Radiotracer studies, including 51Cr for red cell survival and 67Ga-scintigraphy, improve diagnostic accuracy for jaundice and hepatoma.

Conclusions:

• Nuclear medicine offers a versatile array of techniques for comprehensive liver evaluation.
• These methods are essential for diagnosing, monitoring, and managing a wide spectrum of liver conditions.
• Advanced radiotracer applications enhance diagnostic precision and patient management in hepatology.