Liver and Spleen Scan

A liver and spleen scan is a Reference nuclear scan that is done to look at these organs for disease.

During a Reference liver Opens New Window and Reference spleen Opens New Window scan, a Reference radioactive tracer Opens New Window substance is put into a vein (Reference IV Opens New Window) in the arm. It moves through the blood to the Reference liver Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window and Reference spleen Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window. Areas of the liver and spleen where the tracer collects in large amounts show up as bright spots in the pictures. Areas where the tracer collects in low amounts or does not show up are seen as dark spots. The pattern in which the tracer spreads through the liver and spleen can help find Reference cysts Opens New Window, Reference abscesses Opens New Window, certain types of tumors, or problems with liver function.

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

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