Evaluation of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome with Technetium-99m Macroaggregated Albumin Scintigraphy.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by intrapulmonary vascular dilatation causing hypoxemia in patients with liver disease. Technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin (Tc-MAA) scintigraphy have diagnostic value in suspected HPS by detecting clinically significant right to left shunt. In presence of cirrhosis, MAA scan with extra-pulmonary organs visualization is specific of intrapulmonary shunting. MAA scintigraphy also provides added value of quantification of the shunt.