Monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) test in patients with different liver diseases.

We have studied the levels of the MEGX test in a heterogeneous group of 50 patients with chronic liver disease and with hepatic tumours and we have compared it with the routine LFTS commonly used to assess liver function and with the Child-Pugh Classification system. Our results demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between MEGX levels and prothrombin levels, and between MEGX and alkaline phosphatase and a highly significant relationship between MEGX and cholinesterase. In the group of patients with cirrhosis we found a statistically significant difference amongst the MEGX levels in the 3 classes of the Child Classification system. The MEGX test is a good index in evaluating hepatic function and it is also quick and easy to perform and capable of determining residual liver function. The test can also be used for preoperative assessment in patients with focal hepatic lesions, especially in those with a previous history of cirrhosis, and in patients with functional hepatic disease.