Detection of deep venous thrombosis by scanning of 99mtechnetium-labelled red-cell venous pool.
A comparative study of 32 patients with suspected deep venous thrombosis was carried out using blood-pool radionuclide scanning and conventional x-ray phlebography. Results of the two methods showed close agreement, the sensitivity (positive correlation) of the scan being 100% and its specificity 89%. We conclude that a patient's red cells labelled with 99mtechnetium (99mTc) provide an excellent medium for this type of scanning. The technique has particular advantages in visualising the whole venous system, giving a persisting image, and obviating the need to inject into a vein of the affected limb. In view of the inherent disadvantages of contrast phlebography, 99mTc-red-cell scanning is clearly an acceptable alternative.
D004912:Erythrocytes; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D010690:Phlebography; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013667:Technetium; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*
D013667:Technetium