Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Focal Hepatic Hot Spot Sign

The focal hepatic hot spot sign can be seen on 99mTc sulfur colloid "liver and spleen" scans as a focal area of increased uptake in segment IV of the liver.

It is typically seen in superior vena cava obstruction, due to portosystemic venous shunting between the superior vena cava and the left portal vein via the internal mammary and paraumbilical veins (this can also be seen on CT).

Other conditions can cause increased uptake anywhere in the liver, including segment IV. These include liver abscesses, hemangioma, focal nodular hyperplasia, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Budd-Chiari syndrome typically causes focal uptake in the caudate lobe.

References

Dickson AM. The focal hepatic hot spot sign. Radiology. 2005 Nov;237(2):647-8.

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