Imaging of abdominal infection using 99m Tc stannous fluoride colloid labelled leukocytes.
Radiolabelling of leukocytes using labelled phagocytosed technetium-99m (99mTc) colloidal radiopharmaceuticals has been reported as a method for imaging infection. This in vivo study compares the use of leukocytes labelled using 99mTc stannous fluoride colloid with leukocytes labelled using indium-111 (111In) oxinate. A total of 26 patients (10 male, 16 female; mean age 52 years, range 23-88 years) referred for the investigation of possible infection were studied using both leukocyte labelling methods simultaneously. Images were acquired 4h and 24h after re-injection of the labelled cells. The images were evaluated qualitatively by two nuclear medicine physicians. The results show a high degree of concordance between the techniques: 11 of the 28 images showed a focus of leukocyte accumulation with both techniques at 24h, and 13 out of 28 showed a normal appearance at 24h with both methods. In four cases the results were discordant; the 99mTc stannous fluoride colloid labelled leukocytes gave a false positive appearance at 24h in three patients and a false negative in one. In conclusion, colloid labelling of leukocytes offers a sensitive method for the detection of infective foci coupled with the high resolution imaging offered by 99mTc. It has the advantage over other in vitro labelling methods of being a simpler, non-labour-intensive procedure employing whole blood, and its use should be considered by departments that have limited facilities for in vitro leukocyte labelling.
Carter
N J
NJ
East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury, Kent, UK. Nicholas.Carter@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
Eustance
C N P
CN
Barrington
S F
SF
O'Doherty
M J
MJ
Coakley
A J
AJ
D018784:Abdominal Abscess / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015125:Oxyquinoline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017556:Technetium Compounds / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014002:Tin Fluorides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014915:Whole-Body Counting
D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D017556:Technetium Compounds; D014002:Tin Fluorides; C036078:technetium Tc 99m tin fluoride colloid; C032950:indium oxine; D015125:Oxyquinoline