Friday, February, 10, 2012

Liver scan

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Technetium scan; Liver technetium sulfur colloid scan; Liver-spleen radionuclide scan; Nuclear scan - technetium; Nuclear scan - liver or spleen


Normal Values

The liver and spleen should appear normal in size, shape, and location. The radioisotope is absorbed evenly.


What abnormal results mean
  • Abscess
  • Budd-Chiari syndrome
  • High pressure in the liver blood vessels (portal hypertension)
  • Infection
  • Injury
  • Liver disease (such as cirrhosis or hepatitis)
  • Superior vena cava obstruction
  • Splenic infarction (tissue death)
  • Tumors

Review Date: 01/31/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jason Levy, MD, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)