The Use of Ultrasound to Enhance the Diagnostic Utility of the Equivocal Liver Scintigraph

Abstract

Using state-of-the-art technology in nuclear medicine and ultrasound, directed ultrasound examinations were performed with attention to equivocal areas identified on hepatic isotope studies. In 100 patients studied prospectively, 110 equivocal radionuclide findings were identified. Proven diagnoses were obtained in 99 cases. Overall accuracy figures were 74% for scintigraphy and 93% for ultrasound. Scintigraphy in general showed high sensitivity, but ultrasound showed greater specificity and accuracy. A directed ultrasound examination is apparently accurate and useful when the hepatic scintigraph is equivocal for any reason.