Bone marrow extension and pelvic bone marrow activity in alcoholic liver disease. A RES scintigraphic investigation.

Red bone marrow extension and increased central bone marrow activity were found in 21 patients with alcoholic liver disease investigated with scintigraphy of the reticuloendothelial system. The patients had no concurrent disease known to alter red bone marrow distribution. The bone marrow extension and the increased pelvic bone marrow activity may be explained as being secondary to a decreased radiocolloid uptake in the liver and could thus be a sign of decreased reticuloendothelial capacity.