Correlation of 99mTc-GSA hepatic scintigraphy with liver biopsies in patients with chronic active hepatitis type C.

99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) liver scintigraphy was performed in 230 patients with chronic active hepatitis type C, and its quantitative indices were compared with histological findings. 99mTc-GSA findings correlated well with four indices of the histology activity index (HAI), especially with the fibrosis score. Ninety patients were given interferon treatments, and 99mTc-GSA findings were compared with the results of the treatments. We classified the effects of interferon treatment into three groups according to clinical outcome: group 1: good effect (HCV-RNA negative, n = 34), group 2: moderate effect (HCV-RNA positive, but the value of GPT was normal for six months after the end of treatment, n = 19) and group 3: no effect (n = 37). Quantitative indices of 99mTc-GSA showed significant differences between groups. Follow-up study with 99mTc-GSA scintigrams was obtained in eight patients. The results of 99mTc-GSA improved in three patients in group 1 and deteriorated in five patients in group 3. There is a possibility that 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy can be used to predict the clinical outcome of chronic active hepatitis type C after interferon treatment.