Is liver scintigram necessary for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma ?

Clinical necessity of liver scintigram in diagnosing hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) were evaluated in 383 patients with HCCs including 40 patients with a total of 50 small HCCs (less than 5 cm in diameter). Liver scintigram including SPECT is considered to be absolutery necessary in 2 % (6/383) of patients with HCC and relatively necessary in 7 % (25/383) of patients with HCC. The cases categolized into these 2 groups had 2 specific features of HCC; one which showed macroscopically infiltrative type and another which were located in the subdiaphragmatic portion of the liver. In conclusion, liver scintigram is still necessary especially in these cases for the diagnosis of HCC. (author)