Is there a role for Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy in ischemic colitis?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of pentavalent Tc-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid [Tc-99m (V) DMSA] in the diagnosis of ischemic colitis.


METHODS
Fourteen patients with endoscopically and histologically confirmed ischemic colitis were included in the study. Tc-99m (V) DMSA scintigraphy was performed within 2 d after colonoscopy. Images were considered positive when an area of increased activity was observed in the region of interest and negative when no abnormal tracer uptake was detected.


RESULTS
In 3 out of the 14 patients, Tc-99m (V) DMSA images showed moderate activity in the bowel. The scintigraphic results corresponded with the endoscopic findings. In the other 11 patients, no abnormal tracer uptake was detected in the abdomen.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides the limited number of patients, Tc-99m (V) DMSA could not be considered as a useful imaging modality for the evaluation of ischemic colitis.
Stathaki
Maria I
MI
University Hospital Heraklion, Department of Gastroenterology, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Koutroubakis
Ioannis E
IE
Koukouraki
Sophia I
SI
Kouroumalis
Elias A
EA
Karkavitsas
Nikolaos S
NS
D000368:Aged; D017091:Colitis, Ischemic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019783:Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019783:Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid