[Differential nuclear medicine diagnosis of intrahepatic space-occupying diseases]

The use of ultrasonography has led to an increase of symptom-free carriers of intrahepatic masses. Whereas follicular nodular hyperplasia and haemangioma does not require further treatment, all other tumours should be resected. In a prospective study involving 81 patients with intrahepatic masses the value of nuclear medical methods for such a differentiation was assessed. In 21 out of 23 patients with follicular nodular hyperplasia and in 17 out of 18 cases of haemangioma a correct classification was achieved. In addition, all 3 adenomas and 36 out of 37 malignant tumours could be attributed correctly. Sequential and blood pool scanning of the liver as non-invasive methods thus permit differential diagnosis of intrahepatic masses with sufficient accuracy.