isotope scans in liver disease
Last reviewed 01/2018
There are two isotope scans which are used for the investigation of liver disease:
- technetium-99m colloid scan:
- radio-labelled colloidal sulphur is injected intravenously
- the label is taken up by the reticuloendothelial cells in the liver
- uptake is reduced in parenchymal disease of the liver such as cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis
- technetium-99m HIDA scan:
- a radiolabelled imino-diacetic acid derivative is injected intravenously
- the label is excreted into the biliary tree
- this technique is used in acute cholecystitis and congenital biliary atresia