Sarcopenia does not affect total liver function measured using technetium-99m mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy.

Authors

Pieter Arntz, Pim Olthof, Fadi Rassam, Roelof Bennink, Robert-Jan Coelen, Thomas van Gulik, Jan Heil, Geert Kazemier, Bart Takkenberg, Joris Erdmann

Published in

EJNMMI research. Jul 13, 2026. Epub Jul 13, 2026.

Abstract

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) using technetium-99m mebrofenin is used to preoperatively estimate risk of adverse outcomes after major liver resections. Sarcopenia has been independently associated with adverse outcomes after surgery. This retrospective cohort study aimed to correlate patient- and disease-related factors, including sarcopenia, with total liver function (TLF) through HBS analysis.
During the study period, 346 patients underwent HBS to quantify TLF. The median TLF was 15.0 (12.1-16.7) %/min. Body composition parameters were not correlated to TLF. Older age, a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, underlying cirrhosis and high serum bilirubin levels were independently correlated with decreased TLF. In contrast, the absence of underlying liver disease and overall good health were independently correlated with higher TLF. Sarcopenia was not correlated with TLF.
Sarcopenia does not impact TLF. Total liver function measured with HBS is negatively correlated with older age, a diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma, underlying cirrhosis and serum bilirubin level.

PMID:
42439977
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 13 Jul 2026.

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