Liver-spleen imaging in patients with subacute hepatic necrosis and chronic hepatitis.

Tc-99m-sulfur colloid reticuloendothelial images and percutaneous liver biopsies are correlated in 54 patients who presented with signs and symptoms of subacute hepatic necrosis or chronic active hepatitis. The scored Tc-99m-sulfur colloid scan is compared to the histological severity of disease. Serial scans and biopsies are compared. In patients with significant hepatocellular disease, the liver-spleen scan did not correlate well with the histological severity of disease. Changes in the spleen-to-liver ratio are more common than those in the liver or increased bone marrow activity, and appear earlier. In serial studies, changes in the Tc-99m-sulfur colloid scans correlate weakly with changes in histology.