Predictive value of liver scintiphotography for demonstration of metastases in malignant gastrointestinal disorders.

In a prospective investigation, the predictive value of liver scintiphotography was evaluated in 107 consecutive patients operated on suspicion of intra-abdominal cancer. Scintiphotography was performed by means of a Pho/Gamma HP scintillation camera after intravenous administration of 99mTc sulfur colloid. The final diagnoses were obtained within 10 days after scintiphotography by laparotomy or autopsy. The predictive value of an abnormal scintiphoto was found to be 57%, and the predictive value of a normal scintiphoto was 91%. It is concluded that scintophotography is helpful in the preoperative evaluation of patients with suspected intra-abdominal cancer, especially in order to rule out the presence of liver metastases.