Hemodynamic evaluation of portal blood flow with transrectal scintigraphy using 123I-iodoamphetamine with special reference to esophageal varices and bleeding

Portosystemic shunting was evaluated by portal scintigraphy with transrectally admininistered 123I-iodoamphetamine (IMP) in 21 patients with liver diseases. IMP was injected in an amount of 111 MBq (3 mCi) into the upper part of the rectum through the catheter. Images of the liver and lungs were monitores for up to 60 minutes with scintillation camera. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the images of the organs: the tracer was accumulated predominantly in the lungs (group A); almost equally accumulated in the both organs (group B); accumulated predominantly in the liver (group C). Advanced liver cirrhosis and IPH with esophageal varices were almost exclusively seen in group A, whereas early stage of liver cirrhosis and other mild hepatic lesions without esophageal varix remainded in group C. Patients of group A showed worse laboratory data than those of group C, including platelet count, serum levels of ch-E and γ-globulin. It is noteworthy that in patients with esophageal bleeding, clear lung images appeared shortly after IMP administration in contrast with extremely delayed visualization of the liver. On the contrary, liver images was demonstrated early in cirrhotic patients without esophageal bleeding. It was coucluded that portal scintigraphy with IMP is useful for the evaluation of portosystemic shunting, especially in esophageal varices. (author)