To evaluate the prognostic significance of 99mTc-phytate liver scintigraphy in patients with cirrhosis, we measured the grade of extrahepatic uptake (EHU) of 99mTc-phytate, from 0 (absent EHU) to 5 (irnportant EHU), according to the relative distribution of the radiotracer among liver, spleen and bone marrow. The results were as follows: 1) EHU score was correlated to the Pugh score (r=0.64) and to survival. 2) The ROC curve on an observed status of death was superior for EHU score. In conclusion, 99mTc-phytate liver scintigraphy may be a useful prognostic method in patients with liver cirrhosis.