Combined Scintigraphy of Liver, Spleen, and Lung in the Diagnosis of Subphrenic Abscess

Abstract

Two hundred and fifty-six patients have, during the past 5 years, been examined by combined liver, spleen, and lung radionuclide imaging. The reason for this investigation was to identify or rule out subphrenic abscess, which is a rare but feared complication of abdominal surgery. Primary subphrenic abscess may also be seen, and in such cases the diagnosis is extremely difficult. Subphrenic abscess was demonstrated by radionuclide imaging in 17 patients, and all of these were later confirmed by surgery. In this study there was one false-positive and one false-negative result. During this period other pathological conditions involving lung and liver and with symptoms similar to subphrenic abscess have also been demonstrated by this technique, such as lung embolism and liver abscess.

Key-words:

• Combined scintigraphy
• subphrenic abscess