Liver and Spleen Scan

Overview

A liver and spleen scan is a nuclear scanning test that is done to evaluate these organs for disease.

During a liver and spleen scan, a radioactive tracer substance is injected into a vein in the arm. It travels through the bloodstream to the liver and spleen. Areas of the liver and spleen where the tracer accumulates in higher-than-normal amounts show up as bright or “hot” spots in the pictures. Areas where the tracer accumulates in lower-than-normal amounts (or fails to accumulate) show up as dark or “cold” spots. The pattern in which the tracer accumulates can help detect cysts, abscesses, certain types of tumors, or problems with liver function, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis .

Scans of the liver and the spleen are obtained at the same time.

Test Procedure

A liver and spleen scan is usually done by a nuclear medicine technologist. The scan pictures are usually interpreted by a radiologist or nuclear medicine specialist.

You will need to remove any jewelry that might interfere with the scan. You may need to take off all or most of your clothes, depending on which area is being examined (you may be allowed to keep on your underwear if it does not interfere with the test). You will be given a cloth or paper covering to use during the test.

The technologist cleans the site on your arm where the radioactive tracer will be injected. A small amount of the radioactive tracer is then injected.

You will lie on your back on a table and a large scanning camera will be positioned closely above your abdomen. After the radioactive tracer is injected, the camera will scan for radiation released by the tracer and produce pictures as the tracer passes through your liver and spleen. The camera does not produce any radiation, so you are not exposed to any additional radiation while the scan is being done.

You may be asked to move into different positions (such as onto your stomach or side) so the liver and spleen can be viewed from other angles. You need to lie very still during each scan to avoid blurring the pictures. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly during some of the scans.

The entire test takes about 1 hour.

Test Results

It can take time for the test results and how long will depend on the reasons for the scan. Usually, a specialist in radiology examines the scan and a report is then sent to your physician, who reviews the results to you.