1. Purpose: To investigate the usefulness of liver scanning with colloidal rediogold in clonorchis infestation of the liver.
2. Methods: Clonorchiasis is a parasitic infection of the liver endemic in Asia, especially prevalent in Korea. Patients with clonorchiasis admitted to the Department of Medicine, Busan National University Hospital, from January 1961 to September 1972, were studied. Liver scanning with radioactive colloidal gold was carried out in 72 of 112 cases of clonorchiasis confirmed by stool examination, skin test and liver biopsy.
3. Results: In patients with ascites, the spleen was visualized in 22 of 30 cases (73.3%). In patients without ascites the spleen visualization was found in 16 of 42 cases (38.1%). In both groups, despite the relatively low occurrence of a palpable spleen, a relatively high incidence of spleen, visualization on the scintigram seemed to be one of the most sensitive tests of abnormal liver function next to an abnormal BSP retention.
Three hepatic scintigram patterns were recognized-a hypertrophy, an atrophy and a mottling pattern. In the group with ascites the hypertrophy pattern was noted in 15 of 30 cases(50%), an atrophy pattern in 11 (36.7%), and mottling in 12 (40%), In the group without ascites the hypertrophy pattern was found in 23 of 42 cases (54.8%), atrophy in 2. (4.8%), and mottling in 14 (33.3%).
A high incidence of spleen visualization and the atrophy pattern of the hepatic scintigram in patients with hepatic clonorchiasis and ascites seemed to be related to congestive splenomegaly and cirrhotic changes in the liver.
4. Conclusions: The diagnostic value of liver and spleen scanning with radioactive colloidal gold in clonorchiasis is recognized. The author emphasizes the significance of spleen visualization and atrophy pattern of the liver in the scintigram of clonorchiasis.
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