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| Radiology and Lab Services |
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One of the most common uses for nuclear medicine is for the investigation of liver diseases. Much information about the liver can be found by injecting different types of radioisotopes, commonly called tracers, into a patient's vein and then performing the liver scan. Images are recorded of the tracer's uptake in the liver.
The normal liver is quite pliable and it changes shape during episodes of deep breathing as well as from one's position from upright to supine. In fact, the lack of change in shape of the liver from one position to the other may be used as a test for disease.
Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are often referred for liver scans because of suspected hepatomegaly (liver enlargement). Usually in these patients, the liver is low and flattened due to hyper-inflated lungs. Evaluation of a liver scan should include
- Size, Shape and Position of the Liver and Spleen
- Homogeneity of Activity Within the Organ
- Presence of Any Focal Defects in Activity
- Relative Distribution of Colloid Among the Liver, Spleen and Bone Marrow
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| Question: |
What is the function of the body's liver?
The liver creates, regulates and stores a variety of body substances used in digesting food. The main digestive chemical produced in the liver is bile, which is used to break down fat molecules in food. The liver also breaks down harmful substances, like alcohol. |
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