title: Detecting protein losing enteropathy by Tc-99m dextran scintigraphy: a novel experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate protien using enteropathy by Tc-99m dextran scintigraphy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methods for detecting protein loss from the intestine revolve around fecal nitrogen excretion, the clearance of alpha-1 antitrypsin in stools and by endoscopic biopsy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The diagnosis of protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) can also be established by a scintigraphic method that is noninvasive, simple and requires no patient preparation or motivation. This diagnostic modality can also delineate the site of protein loss, thereby offering a targeted approach, and if need be, surgery. Radiolabelling of a non-protein, noncolloidal, nonparticulate and biofriendly molecule like dextran with Technetium-99m for imaging enteric protein loss was utilized in imaging eight children with PLE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results were encouraging. The authors advocate the use of this diagnostic tool in identifying patients with PLE, particularly in the pediatric age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MAMC and allied LN Hospital, New Delhi. seemam@vsnl.com
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.forename: Simmi K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ratan
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kashyap
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mittal
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rajeshwari
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rawat
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verma
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011504:Protein-Losing Enteropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D015609:Organotechnetium Compounds; C034146:technetium Tc 99m dextran