In-111-labeled platelet scintigraphies in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

Background/aims: Chronic hepatitis C has been recognized to be associated with thrombocytopenia. The use of indium (In-111) oxine-labeled platelets has provided an important tool for classifying the mechanism of thrombocytopenia. In this study, we utilized In-111 oxine-labeled platelet scintigraphies to evaluate patients with chronic hepatitis C (with and without thrombocytopenia).

Methodology: Eleven patients with chronic hepatitis C were included in this study. Six patients (3 male, 3 female) were diagnosed with thrombocytopenia (< 140 x 10(9)/L) (group A) and five patients (3 male, 2 female) had normal platelet counts (> 140 x 10(9)/L) (group B). Spleen to heart and spleen to liver ratios were calculated from 24-hour platelet scintigraphic images.

Results: The spleen to heart ratios in group A and group B were 5.18 +/- 2.09 and 5.17 +/- 2.17, respectively (P = 0.465). The spleen to liver ratio of group A and B were 3.08 +/- 1.60 and 2.38 +/- 0.87, respectively (P = 0.870).

Conclusions: Our study revealed that patients with hepatitis C infection may have thrombocytopenia independent of hypersplenism.