Quantitation of the intrahepatic shunt index by injection of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin into the spleen

The accuracy of the intrahepatic shunt index measured by injection of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin into the spleen was assessed in comparison with the intrahepatic shunt index measured by injection of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin into the portal trunk in 28 patients with portal hypertension. 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin was injected through the catheter into the portal trunk and the intrahepatic shunt index was calculated by counting over predetermined areas of the liver and lungs. Injection of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin into the spleen was performed between one or two weeks before portal vein catheterization, and the calculation of the intrahepatic shunt index was performed with a scinticamera and ROI-radiograms obtained by data-processing. There was a significant correlation between the intrahepatic shunt index calculated by injection of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin into the spleen and that by injection of 99mTc-macroaggregated albumin into the portal trunk (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). (author)