Scintillation Scanning of the Liver in Neoplastic Diseases

Abstract

The authors report their experience in the use of colloidal Au198 for liver scanning in the neoplastic disease. Radioisotope scintillation scanning of the liver has been performed in 156 patients, of whom 3 with primary tumors, 94 with clinical suspicion of metastatic lesions from tumors of various origin and kind, and 58 with lymphomas. According to the experience of the authors, liver scanning gives certain information about changes in size and shape of the liver; it is principally useful in demonstrating the derangements of internal pattern produced by space-occupying lesions. In fact it is a valuable test to employ in the study of malignant neoplasms. However the procedure may be not sufficient for the detection of liver lesions of small size, not inducing changes of the volume and shape of the liver. Original scintigraphy are presented and the results of some interest and of particular meaning are discussed.