[Radionuclear estimation with 99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyl-tryptophan (PMT) scintigraphy of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after non-surgical treatment].

99mTc-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyl-tryptophan (PMT) scintigraphy, which exhibits highly specific for the diagnosis of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was performed for recurrent HCC following non-surgical treatment. Eighty-four patients (total 351 examinations) were selected for the study. The ability of PMT scintigraphy to diagnose recurrent HCC after treatment was compared with that of computed tomography, ultrasonography and angiography. The results showed that 1) sixty-three (75%) of 84 cases demonstrated positive findings during our follow-up period, 2) most of the tumors initially showing positive findings remained PMT positive when they recurred and 3) PMT studies shortly after treatment demonstrated wider tracer uptake rather than the actual tumor area. In conclusion. PMT scintigraphy for patients with HCC after non-surgical treatment exhibited high accuracy in identifying viable HCC only for tumors indicating positive findings.