title: Trans-splenic portal scintigraphy in normal dogs.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to (1) establish a technique for ultrasound-guided trans-splenic portal scintigraphy (TSPS) using 99mTcO4(-), (2) evaluate portal vein morphology, (3) compare the radiation exposures for TSPS vs. per-rectal portal scintigraphy (PRPS), and (4) compare the quality of numerical data from the TSPS vs. PRPS. Eight juvenile dogs underwent PRPS and TSPS (minimum of 48h between studies) after initial screening tests. PRPS was done according to established protocol using 425 +/- 36MBq (mean +/- SD) of 99mTcO4(-). TSPS was done with the dogs in right lateral recumbency over the gamma camera. 99mTcO4(-) (57 +/- 13.9 MBq) was injected into the spleen 1-2s following initiation of the dynamic acquisition. The frame rate was 4 frames/s for 5 min. There was significantly lower radioactivity of 99mTcO4(-) given and significantly higher total counts recorded in the liver and heart during the TSPS compared with PRPS. The total counts for the TSPS and PRPS were 7120 +/- 4386 and 830 +/- 523, respectively. Percent absorption from the spleen was 52.5 +/- 19.1% compared with 9.2 +/- 5.7% for the colon. Calculated transit time for the TSPS studies was 7 +/- 2.3s. In TSPS studies, the splenic and portal veins were clearly identified. Radiation exposure levels of the dogs were significantly lower following TSPS than after PRPS. TSPS appears superior to PRPS as a method to image the portal venous system representing a valid alternative diagnostic test for animals with suspected portosystemic shunts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Knoxville, TN 37996-4544, USA.
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Morandi
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Avenell
authors.forename: Gregory B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Daniel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005260:Female; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D011168:Portal System / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013154:Spleen / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m