Liver scan

After a radioisotope has been injected into a vein, a series of pictures are taken of the liver by a scanner. The liver scan is probably the best way to study the liver without surgery. It is particularly valuable because it can provide information about liver function. It is also used to help confirm other test results.

Review Date: 01/31/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jason Levy, MD, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.