Abstract
Streamlines in the human portal vein were studied in 10 patients with various disorders using scintiphotosplenoportography, which permits a clear visualization of portal venous system by injection of 99mTcO4- into the spleen. As the thickness of the right and left lobes of the liver influences the radioactivity, scintiphotosplenoportograms were compared with liver scintigrams obtained by intravenous injection of 198Au colloid.
In 2 subjects, RI bolus injected into the spleen reached the left lobe of the liver predominantly and in one of them repeat examination after 2 months revealed that RI bolus was chiefly directed to the right lobe. In 3 subjects the radioactivity of 99mTc homogenously distributed in the two lobes as well as 198Au. In 5 other subjects the marked distribution of 99mTc was observed in the right lobe.
From this results, it seems unlikely that there exist constant streamlines in the human portal vein.
