Protein-losing enteropathy: diagnosis with (99m)Tc-labeled human serum albumin scintigraphy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the diagnostic value of technetium 99m-labeled human serum albumin (HSA) scintigraphy in a group of patients suspected of having protein-losing enteropathy (PLE).


METHODS
After intravenous injection of 740 MBq of freshly prepared (99m)Tc HSA, serial images of the abdomen were obtained from 10 minutes until 24 hours after injection. A (99m)Tc HSA scan was considered positive for PLE if there was visible tracer exudation in the gut. The diagnosis was established on the basis of standard clinical and biopsy findings.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine scans were obtained: 27 scans in 26 suspected cases of PLE and 12 scans in control subjects with no known gastrointestinal disease. Twenty-five of the 26 studies in patients suspected of having PLE showed (99m)Tc HSA activity in the bowel. Among the 25 studies with positive findings, seven demonstrated PLE only on images obtained 24 hours after injection. In the control subjects, no activity was seen in the bowel.


CONCLUSIONS
(99m)Tc HSA with serial scanning for up to 24 hours is reliable and useful for imaging PLE. Sites of protein loss may also be demonstrated. This imaging method is convenient, easy to perform, and yields results within 24 hours.
Department of Nuclear Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, 138 Sheng-Li Rd, Tainan 704, Taiwan. ntchiu@mail.ncku.edu.tw
N T
NT
Chiu
B F
BF
Lee
S J
SJ
Hwang
J M
JM
Chang
G C
GC
Liu
H S
HS
Yu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007419:Intestinal Secretions / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007422:Intestines / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin
D013668:Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin