Hepatic localization of Tc-99m MAA during lower extremity venography.

Hepatic localization of macroaggregated albumin particles has been observed previously in both superior and inferior vena cava obstruction. These reports have described focal regional hepatic uptake in porta hepatis or the left hepatic lobe in cases of SVC and IVC obstruction as well as global hepatic uptake in IVC obstruction. In this report of an unusual case of hepatic uptake of MAA during lower extremity venography, the entire liver and lungs were simultaneously visualized, presumably due to portal-to-systemic collateral flow pathways in the presence of inferior vena cava obstruction.