"False positive" immunoscintigraphic diagnosis of liver abscesses in a patient with a necrotic liver tumour

Eur J Nucl Med. 1989;15(10):673-5. doi: 10.1007/BF00251683.

Abstract

The following report describes the scintigraphic findings in a patient who underwent immunoscintigraphy with anti granulocyte Mab because of septic fever. Focal tracer accumulation in the liver corresponding with hypoechoic and hypodense areas documented by sonography and computed tomography was believed to represent liver abscesses, yet surgery and autopsy revealed a large necrotic cholangiocellular liver carcinoma. The possible mechanisms, which had led to the false positive immunoscintigraphic image are discussed and we conclude that a necrotic neoplasm has to be a major differential diagnosis in any case of positive liver uptake in an anti granulocyte scan.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma, Bile Duct / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenoma, Bile Duct / pathology
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Granulocytes / immunology
  • Humans
  • Liver Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Liver Neoplasms / pathology
  • Male
  • Necrosis
  • Radionuclide Imaging

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal