Quantitative Evaluation of the Regional Dynamic Function of Hepatocytes after Living Donor Liver Transplantation Using 99mTc-GSA: A Preliminary Report

In this study, we attempted to evaluate the dynamic function of graft livers after a living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using technetium-99m-galactosyl-human serum albumin (99mTc-GSA) scintigraphy. We performed 99mTc-GSA scintigraphy 24 times in a total of 15 pediatric patients following LDLT. The age at examination (mean±standard deviation) was 7.3±5.54 years. The median interval between the examination and LDLT was 42 months. We converted the time activity curve for the graft to a horizontal mirror image curve and calculated the mean transit time (MTT) and depicted the functional image. The whole graft MTT showed a significant correlation with the receptor index (r=?0.528, p=0.014), total bilirubin (r=0.470, p=0.032) and cholinesterase (r=?0.641, p<0.014), and a marginally significant correlation with the clearance index (r=0.424, p=0.056). The functional image was quite useful for making a visual evaluation of the regional dynamic distribution of 99mTc-GSA in the graft. We thus consider this modality a valuable adjunct for evaluating the regional deterioration of the dynamic function of the liver following liver transplantation.