Published in:
01-06-2015 | Images That Teach
Lung perfusion imaging in hepatopulmonary syndrome using 99mTc macroaggregated albumin
Authors:
Devaki Shilpa Surasi, MD, Padma Manapragada, MD, Pradeep Bhambhvani, MD
Published in:
Journal of Nuclear Cardiology
|
Issue 3/2015
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Abstract
Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a serious pulmonary vascular complication in patients with chronic liver disease. It constitutes a triad of chronic liver disease, increased alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, and evidence of intrapulmonary shunt (IPS). The diagnosis of IPS can be made by bubble echocardiography, technetium-99m-labeled macroaggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) scintigraphy or pulmonary arteriography. Though echocardiography is a sensitive screening test, MAA scintigraphy can also quantify the extent of shunting.