Efficacy of combined liver-lung scintillation imaging.

Of 116 patients who had undergone combined liver-lung scintillation imaging, 23 with negative studies had abnormal subphrenic spaces at operation, and 5 with positive studies had abnormal subphrenic spaces at laparotomy (hematomas, bile spillage, serous fluid or abscess); 4 of 6 nonexplored positive studdies showed resolution of defects on serial imaging. Other information obtained included abnormalities intrinsic to liver, lungs or spleen; evidence suggestive of left subphrenic pathology; and reliable information about the right subphrenic space even in the presence of intrathoracic pathology, including effusions.