Clinical significance of 99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl human serum albumin liver scintigraphy in follow-up patients with biliary atresia

Purpose: Technetium 99m DTPA-galactosyl human serum albumin (GSA) liver scintigraphy was performed in follow-up patients with biliary atresia, and its clinical significance was investigated. Methods: Between 1994 and 2001, GSA liver scintigraphy was performed 153 times in 57 follow-up patients. HH15, LHL15, and H/L15 (HH15/LHL15) were obtained. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the clinical status (good, n=17; fair, n=24; poor, n=16). The correlation between these parameters and liver function tests was examined. Twenty-six patients of the 57 underwent 3 serial GSA scintigraphies and also were divided into 3 groups (good, n=13; fair, n=8; poor, n=5). (3rd/1st)H/L15 (3rd H/L15/1st H/L15) was obtained and compared. Results: H/L15 had a correlation with serum albumin and serum cholinesterase. H/L15 was statistically different among 3 groups (good, 0.97+/-0.15; fair, 0.94+/-0.09; poor, 1.12+/-0.21; P<.05). Although most patients in the good (10 patients; 76.9%) and fair (7 patients; 87.5%) groups showed (3rd/1st)H/L15 of less than 1.1, 3 patients (60%) in the poor group showed (3rd/1st)H/L15 of more than 1.1. (3rd/1st)H/L15 in the poor group was significantly higher than those in good and fair groups (P<.05). Conclusions: Technetium 99m-GSA liver scintigraphy is useful to assess the functional hepatic reserve in follow-up patients with biliary atresia. Serial assessment with GSA scintigraphy can provide the trend of the patient's liver condition and can estimate the prognosis of the liver.