HEPATIQ WORKFLOW
The HEPATIQ test is ordered by hepatologists, gastroenterologists, oncologists, interventional radiologists, and liver surgeons. At hospital nuclear medicine or at an independent imaging center, the fed patient is injected with a standard low dose (about 5 mCi) short-acting Technicium-99m sulfur colloid solution.
The patient is scanned for about 20 minutes and planar and SPECT images acquired. The images are analyzed by the HEPATIQ software and a report prepared. The HEPATIQ report together with the nuclear medicine physician’s impression is distributed to the ordering clinical physician.
SPECT IMAGING
SPECT imaging is safe, painless and cost-effective. It provides information about both structure and function of an organ. It differs from x-ray, ultrasound and other tests because it is sensitive to biological changes rather than changes in anatomy. It can identify abnormalities early.
SPECT image processing is able to analyze the distribution of the radioisotope among the liver, spleen and bone marrow to determine the intra-hepatic hemodynamic abnormalities (IHHA) of chronic liver disease.
Regulatory & Reimbursement
HEPATIQ is pure software and uses existing equipment, radioisotope, infrastructure and staff. No capital investment is needed.
The HEPATIQ software is cleared by the U.S.A. Food and Drug Administration. The SPECT scan is reimbursed by insurance under CPT 78803 and can boost revenues. Click insurance codes and reimbursement revenues for more details.