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liver-spleen scan

(LIH-ver ... skan)
A procedure used to check for abnormal areas in the liver or spleen. A very small amount of a radioactive substance is injected into a vein and travels through the blood to the liver and spleen. It is detected by a scanner linked to a computer, which forms an image of the areas where the radioactive substance collects. A liver-spleen scan may be used to help find cancer in the liver or spleen, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other liver or spleen problems.
Anatomy of the liver; drawing shows the right and left lobes of the liver. Also shown are the bile ducts, gallbladder, stomach, spleen, pancreas, small intestine, and colon.Enlarge this image in new window
Anatomy of the liver. The liver is in the upper abdomen near the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, and pancreas. The liver has a right lobe and a left lobe. Each lobe is divided into two sections (not shown).
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